verb
-
to give warning of; predict or foreshadow
-
obsolete to indicate or signify; mean
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of portend
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin portendere “to point out, indicate, portend,” variant of prōtendere “to extend”; see pro- 1, tend 1
Explanation
Portend means to show a sign that something calamitous is about to happen. The teetering, tottering, pile of fine china piled up after the dinner party portends an imminent crash of broken plates and dishes. Portend is a verb warning of omens, or bad signs. Dark clouds rumbling in over a county fair in Kansas portend the thunderstorm and even tornado that is likely to ruin the festivities. Portend is a helpful way for authors to foreshadow dark events ahead in their stories.
Vocabulary lists containing portend
Grade 11, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Chains
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Signs pointed to another U.S. military buildup in the region this week that could portend a fresh round of fighting.
From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026
So what does this portend for the future of American politics?
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
Advances in robotics present new possibilities for medicine, but also portend a system that could leave millions of its human workers unemployed.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
This does not portend an all-around divestment from America.
From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026
The finest astronomers and astrologers—Thomas Digges in England, Francesco Maurolico in Italy, Tadeàš Hàjek in Prague—racked their brains in an attempt to work out what this might portend and hastened to publish their conflicting conclusions.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
