premonition

[pree-muh-nish-uhn, prem-uh-]

noun

1. a feeling of anticipation of or anxiety over a future event; presentiment.

   He had a vague premonition of danger.

   Synonyms: sign, omen, portent, foreboding

2. a forewarning.

premonition

/ prɪˈmɒnɪtərɪ, ˌprɛməˈnɪʃən, -trɪ /

noun

1. an intuition of a future, usually unwelcome, occurrence; foreboding

2. an early warning of a future event; forewarning

Other Word Forms

• premonitory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of premonition¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English premunicioun, from Late Latin praemonitiōn-, stem of praemonitiō “a forewarning”; equivalent to pre- + monition; also praemunire

Word History and Origins

Origin of premonition¹

C16: from Late Latin praemonitiō, from Latin praemonēre to admonish beforehand, from prae before + monēre to warn, advise

Example Sentences

The only explanation for these outrageously violent deaths was the theory that they had escaped their fate thanks to a harrowing premonition.

From Los Angeles Times

There are almost no conversations, only premonitions and plans delivered in bullet-points like a group research project.

From Los Angeles Times

I glanced over to find the mother staring into the abyss of the fridge, experiencing some premonition of what grim fate was about to befall her daughter.

From Los Angeles Times

He had a premonition that history would repeat itself.

From Los Angeles Times

Braxton: I’m sticking with my previous pick of Victoria having a premonition.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• foreboding 
• hunch 
• omen 
• portent