noun
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a sign or indication of a future event, esp a momentous or calamitous one; omen
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momentous or ominous significance
a cry of dire portent
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a miraculous occurrence; marvel
Related Words
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.
Vocabulary lists containing portent
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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.
That usually unremarkable occurrence proved to be a portent for the exhibition.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
Del Toro follows Tadej Pogacar on the roll of honour of the Emirati race with many seeing that as a portent of what is to come in the grand tours.
From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026
That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026
Disney’s chairman recently revealed that D’Amaro was involved with December’s controversial OpenAI character-licensing deal, a grim portent for his future as entertainment boss.
From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026
This was a portent of the extremely serious situation that has now developed.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
