portent

[US]/'pɔːtent/
[UK]/'pɔrtɛnt/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. an omen; a sign or warning of things to come; an unusual or significant occurrence.

Example Sentences

an omen of grave portent for the tribe.

many birds are regarded as being portents of death.

what portent can be greater than a pious notary?.

The dark clouds were a portent of an incoming storm.

The sudden drop in sales was a portent of financial trouble.

The strange behavior of the animals was seen as a portent of an earthquake.

The old legend was thought to be a portent of the future.

The eerie silence in the forest was a portent of danger.

The sudden appearance of a black cat was seen as a portent of bad luck.

The strange dreams she had were considered a portent of change.

The unusual behavior of the birds was a portent of an approaching storm.

The sudden appearance of a shooting star was seen as a portent of good luck.

The mysterious letter she received was a portent of things to come.

Real-world Examples

Raven on a wire. A gloomy portent, precariously perched.

Source: BoJack Horseman Season 3

Since humans have been human we've looked to the skies for portents of the future.

Source: Crash Course Astronomy

John looked puzzled, not quite understanding the portent of this cryptic saying.

Source: The Mystery of Styles Court

Noah, Martha says, promised the dove to pay him if he would bring a tangible portent.

Source: Cross Creek (Part 2)

Fake images were denounced. (This eruption is in South America. Ignore and don't spread.) Talk of portents was firmly shot down.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

Aye, Oin has read the portents, and the portents say it is time.

Source: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

" Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb? " she murmured over the clinking of her bangles.

Source: 3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Both portent and portentous come from the Latin noun portentum, meaning " omen or sign" .

Source: Word of the Day

This meant that he was collecting bizarre religious portents to help him invalidate Caesar's legislation after their year was over.

Source: The rise and fall of superpowers.

In another direction, pale Roman candles shot up singly through the trees, and a fire-haired rocket swept the horizon like a portent.

Source: Summer

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