foreboding

American  

[fawr-boh-ding, fohr-] / fɔrˈboʊ dɪŋ, foʊr- /

noun

1. a prediction; portent.

2. a strong inner feeling or notion of a future misfortune, evil, etc.; presentiment.

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adjective

1. that forebodes, especially evil.

foreboding British  

/ fɔːˈbəʊdɪŋ /

noun

1. a feeling of impending evil, disaster, etc

2. an omen or portent

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adjective

1. presaging something

Other Word Forms

• forebodingly adverb
• forebodingness noun
• unforeboding adjective

Etymology

Origin of foreboding

1350–1400; Middle English forbodyng (noun); forebode, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Meanwhile Nathan Johnson’s score of scratchy cellos and foreboding horns pairs well with a dramatic burst of organ music — one of many goofy-great jump scares goosed up by the editor Bob Ducsay.

From Los Angeles Times

Consider the foreboding for England if they were to lose.

From BBC

There was a foreboding feeling before kickoff for a home team whose stadium was awash in the color of the visitors.

From Los Angeles Times

We entered the final 10 minutes and the sense of foreboding began to grow.

From BBC

From the celebration of the deceased known as Día de los Muertos, to the foreboding thrills and life lessons underpinning Latin America’s fiendish folklore, spooky things are as revered as they are feared.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apprehension
• dread
• premonition