portentous

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective of momentous or ominous significance; - Herman Melville
  2. adjective ominously prophetic
  3. adjective puffed up with vanity; ; ; ; - Newsweek

Etymology

Of multiple origins: * Borrowed from Latin portentōsus, from portentus (“predicted”) + -ōsus. Compare earlier portentuous (via Middle English from Latin portentuōsus). By surface analysis, portent + -ous. * Borrowed from French portentueux

In classic literature

Synonyms

prodigious

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