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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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.

Example Sentences

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

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

Are England's batting struggles in these first two ODIs an early portent for another southern hemisphere winter of discontent?

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

It seemed inconceivable that a spectacular streak of milk-white flame, rising and setting with the stars night after night, was not there for a reason, did not hold some portent for human affairs.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• harbinger
• omen
• premonition