- The definition of portentous is having the feeling of evil or foreboding.
An example of portentus is the mood created by spooky music at a haunted house.
- Portentous is defined as causing awe or wonder.
An example of portentous is the opening gate of a brightly lit carnival.
- Portentous means self-important.
An example of portentous is a professor’s lecture that is more about his own experiences than about teaching a subject.
- that portends evil; ominous
- arousing awe or amazement; marvelous
- ponderous or pompous; self-important
Origin of portentousClassical Latin portentosus from portentum: see portent
- Of the nature of or constituting a portent; foreboding: “The present aspect of society is portentous of great change” ( Edward Bellamy )
- Full of unspecifiable significance; exciting wonder and awe: “Such a portentous and mysterious monster roused all my curiosity” ( Herman Melville )
- Marked by pompousness; pretentiously weighty.
Usage Note: The last syllable of portentous is properly pronounced (-təs). However, under the influence of words like contentious and pretentious, sometimes this word is pronounced (pôr-tĕn′shəs), as though it were spelled portentious. Both the (-shəs) pronunciation and the spelling with the i (which is occasionally seen in print) are widely considered to be mistakes.
(comparative more portentous, superlative most portentous)