Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
portents
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for portents.
Editorial note
We wait, as one waits for the tide, to see what dread portents this unhallowed union may bring.
Quick take
Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of portents gathered in one view.
A portending; significance
Something regarded as portentous; a marvel; prodigy.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for portents.
noun
Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
noun
A portending; significance
noun
Something regarded as portentous; a marvel; prodigy.
Example sentences
We wait, as one waits for the tide, to see what dread portents this unhallowed union may bring.
If you schedule a C-section for the moment of conjunction, does that invalidate any astrological portents implied?
Supposedly, old Chinese courts used to communicate with the Emperor via the interpretation of heavenly portents.
None of the codes, signs, portents, hidden symbols or Illuminati Monarch MKUltra nonsense you thought you were decoding meant anything.
No word on whether they still read a lamb's entrails for portents or consult the dead with a Ouija board.
Astrology and reading runes haven't vanished, they're just staring into screens for the portents now.
Where's the airtight data for all the miracles and portents that are similarly said to have been performed by Western spiritual figures?
On the surface, it seems good - but I am concerned about other snooping features that this portents.
Any one of those might spell dire portents for us squishy humans.
But the volatility of bitcoin is magic rainbow-spewing miracle of portents.
It even has the intentionally unsubtle implications, the literary equivalent of a knowing eye wink, and the willful misunderstanding of jokes as being some.dark portents...
I genuinely believe that up until very recently, all portents of doom aside, none of the prior elected presidents truly threatened the Republic.
Proper noun examples
Remember the first season episode of Babylon 5, Signs and Portents, that kicked off the series-long plotlines?
JMS called them 'wham episodes', there are only a few in Season one - a sky full of stars, Signs and Portents, and *Chrysalis, more in season 2..
You need to watch the pilot, Signs and Portents, the Sky Full of Stars, Voice in the Wilderness parts 1 and 2, Babylon Squared, and Chrysalis.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use portents in a sentence?
We wait, as one waits for the tide, to see what dread portents this unhallowed union may bring.
What does portents mean?
Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
What part of speech is portents?
portents is commonly used as noun.