Words / C2

por-TENT-uh-s/pɔːˈtentəs/

Portentous means as if of an omen, or overly solemn and self-important (often disapproving): a portentous silence, portentous claims. Ominous (already in the dictionary) is threatening; pretentious (already in the dictionary) is trying to impress — a close trap. A portent is a sign of something to come. Do not let a portentous “world-leading” slide stand in for a join that fails.

Meaning

As if of a portent; also overly solemn and self-important (often disapproving).

Examples

• “A portentous “world-leading” slide sat on a spreadsheet join.”
• “Ominous is of a bad omen (already in the dictionary). Solemn is serious. Pretentious is showy learning (already in the dictionary) — the mix-up. A storm can be portentous. A title card is design. Gravity in the voice is not a methods sentence. Fix the join; spare the thunder.”

Good to know

Ominously significant; also pompously solemn. Everyday: ominous / pompous. Mix-up: pretentious (already in this dictionary). Thunder ≠ a working join.

Near in meaning

ominous

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