Word of the Day
: October 7, 2023

\por-TEN-tuss\ adjective

What It Means

Portentous is a formal and literary term that describes something that gives a sign or warning that something (and usually something bad or unpleasant) is going to happen. It can also describe the pompous attitude or behavior of someone who is trying to seem important, serious, or impressive.

// Edgar Allen Poe’s stories are filled with portentous foreshadowing.

// The author's portentous speech was long and tedious and peppered with anecdotes about brushes with fame.

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portentous in Context

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