portent

noun

por·​tent ˈpȯr-ˌtent 

1

: something that foreshadows a coming event : omen, sign

2

: prophetic indication or significance

3

: marvel, prodigy

Synonyms

• augury
• auspice
• boding
• foreboding
• foreshadowing
• omen
• prefiguring
• presage

Examples of portent in a Sentence

a red sky in the morning can be a portent of a coming storm

a scout was sent to have a look at this teenage pitcher who was supposed to be the latest portent of the baseball world

Recent Examples on the Web

Cleveland scored on the very next play, the portent of a wild night to come. 2. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2024

Its peaceful stillness and silence can become desolation, and its beautiful bleakness a portent of doom. —Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 22 Nov. 2024

Valya and her sister Tula (Olivia Williams) have high hopes for their new recruit, who Valya is convinced is part of the prophecy, but Sister Kasha, who’s mentored Ynez under Corrino, has been gripped by disturbing portents of things to come. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024

Don’t believe the mainstream media’s portents that Trump will destroy the country, the rule of law and the Statue of Liberty in one stoke. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin portentum, from neuter of portentus, past participle of portendere

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

portent

noun

por·​tent ˈpȯ(ə)r-ˌtent 

ˈpō(ə)r-

: a sign or warning of a coming event : omen