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Definition of Portentous
1. Adjective. Of momentous or ominous significance. "A prodigious vision"
2. Adjective. Ominously prophetic.
3. Adjective. Puffed up with vanity. "Pseudo-scientific gobbledygook and pontifical hooey"
Similar to: Pretentious
Derivative terms: Pomp, Pomposity, Pompousness
Definition of Portentous
1. a. Of the nature of a portent; containing portents; foreshadowing, esp. foreshadowing ill; ominous.
Definition of Portentous
1. Adjective. Of momentous or ominous significance. ¹
2. Adjective. Ominously prophetic. ¹
3. Adjective. Puffed up with vanity. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Portentous
1. [adj]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Portentous
Literary usage of Portentous
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"See also portentous. portentous portentous has as its earliest sense “relating
... Here we have a few examples: the dreadful omens and portentous sights and ..."
2. The Historical Writings of John Fiske by John Fiske (1902)
"The outlook in the direction of Massachusetts Bay portentous was truly portentous.
For some time after the coming of Peter Minuit, ..."
3. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1831)
"32) Every hour produced some horrid tale of strange and portentous accidents :
the Pagans deplored the neglect of omens, and the interruption of sacrifices ..."
4. The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U. S. A., in the Rocky Mountains and by Washington Irving (1849)
"SHOWING THE GREAT ADVANTAGE THAT THE AUTH01 OYER HIS READER IN TIME OF BATTLE
TOGETHER DIVERS portentous MOVEMENTS; WHICH BETOKEN SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS ..."
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