Search results
- Dictionaryportentous/pɔːˈtɛntəs/
adjective
- 1. of or like a portent; of momentous significance: "this portentous year in Canadian history" Similar
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
PORTENTOUS definition: 1. too serious and trying to be very important: 2. Portentous events, statements, or signs are…. Learn more.
1. : of, relating to, or constituting a portent. suspense, portentous foreshadowing, hints of sinister and violent mysteries Francine Prose. 2. : eliciting amazement or wonder : prodigious. 3. a. : being a grave or serious matter. portentous decisions. b. : self-consciously solemn or important : pompous.
Something that is portentous is important in indicating or affecting future events. [ formal ] The city's contribution to 20th century thought and culture was no less portentous.
Something that is portentous often seems to hint at or warn of a future disaster. For example, in a movie ominous music playing in the background while someone turns a dark corner can have a portentous quality, predicting doom for the hapless character.
PORTENTOUS meaning: 1. too serious and trying to be very important: 2. Portentous events, statements, or signs are…. Learn more.
adjective. of the nature of a portent; momentous. ominously significant or indicative: a portentous defeat. Synonyms: unpropitious, threatening, inauspicious. marvelous; amazing; prodigious. portentous. / pɔːˈtɛntəs / adjective. of momentous or ominous significance. miraculous, amazing, or awe-inspiring; prodigious. self-important or pompous.
1. If someone's way of speaking, writing, or behaving is portentous, they speak, write, or behave more seriously than necessary because they want to impress other people. [formal, disapproval] [...] 2. Something that is portentous is important in indicating or affecting future events. [formal] [...] More. Grammar Question.
1. Of the nature of or constituting a portent; foreboding: "The present aspect of society is portentous of great change" (Edward Bellamy). 2. Full of unspecifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe: "Such a portentous and mysterious monster roused all my curiosity" (Herman Melville). 3. Marked by pompousness; pretentiously weighty.
If someone's way of speaking, writing, or behaving is portentous, they speak, write, or behave more seriously than necessary because they want to impress other people.
Definition of portentous adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
