portent

noun

por·​tent ˈpȯr-ˌtent 

1

: something that foreshadows a coming event : omen, sign

2

: prophetic indication or significance

3

: marvel, prodigy

Synonyms of portent

• forerunner
• omen
• precursor
• foreshadowing
• presage
• foreboding
• hint
• prediction
• herald
• augury
• suggestion

Examples of portent in a Sentence

a red sky in the morning can be a portent of a coming storm

a scout was sent to have a look at this teenage pitcher who was supposed to be the latest portent of the baseball world

Recent Examples on the Web

That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer. —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak. —Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026

If that is the case, the Ring Nebula could be a portent of what awaits Earth in around 5 billion years when the sun runs out of fuel for nuclear fusion and puffs out to become a red giant. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin portentum, from neuter of portentus, past participle of portendere

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

portent

noun

por·​tent ˈpȯ(ə)r-ˌtent 

ˈpō(ə)r-

: a sign or warning of a coming event : omen