portent

American  

[pawr-tent, pohr-] / ˈpɔr tɛnt, ˈpoʊr- /

noun

1. an indication or omen of something about to happen, especially something momentous.

   Synonyms:

   warning, augury

2. threatening or disquieting significance.

   an occurrence of dire portent.

   Synonyms:

   import

3. a prodigy or marvel.

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portent British  

/ ˈpɔːtɛnt /

noun

1. a sign or indication of a future event, esp a momentous or calamitous one; omen

2. momentous or ominous significance

   a cry of dire portent

3. a miraculous occurrence; marvel

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Synonym Usage

See sign.

Etymology

Origin of portent

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin portentum “sign, token,” noun use of neuter of portentus, past participle of portendere “to signify, presage, portend”; see portend

Explanation

While you might love crows, your father will shudder when he sees them if he superstitiously believes they're a portent — a sign or warning — of death. A portent is an omen of something momentous, which can be good, but is more often negative. You can use portent to mean a magical foretelling or symbol, but you can also use it to talk about something real, the way you could describe big, dark storm clouds as a portent of a thunderstorm.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

portent

They’re a sign of a healthy economy and a portent of lower home prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

Low-rise skinny jeans may be out and High School Musical may no longer top the charts, but 2006 may be a portent nevertheless.

From Slate ● Oct. 2, 2026

In a portent of current events, he thought foreign trade could be used for domestic purposes.

From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026

That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 22, 2026

She was a most singular portent, a lion in front, a serpent behind, a goat in between—

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• harbinger
• omen
• premonition