noun
foreboding
Foreboding (noun) means a strong feeling that something bad is about to happen. Example: “A sense of foreboding settled over the crew before the storm hit.”
noun
1
A strong feeling that something bad is about to happen.
"A sense of foreboding settled over the crew before the storm hit."
adj
1
Suggesting that something bad is coming; ominous.
"The sky turned a foreboding shade of grey."
How to use foreboding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA gut feeling — or an atmosphere — that suggests something bad is on the way.
Common pairings
sense of foreboding
foreboding atmosphere
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Word forms
- Plural
- forebodings
- Comparative
- more foreboding
- Superlative
- most foreboding
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A sense of _____ settled over the crew before the storm hit.
Etymology
From fore- + bode ("to foretell") + -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for foreboding
See all rhymes for foreboding →Frequently asked questions
What does “foreboding” mean?
The word “foreboding” means a strong feeling that something bad is about to happen. In plain terms, a gut feeling — or an atmosphere — that suggests something bad is on the way.
How do you use “foreboding” in a sentence?
Here is “foreboding” used in a sentence: “A sense of foreboding settled over the crew before the storm hit.”
What part of speech is “foreboding”?
Depending on how it is used, “foreboding” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “foreboding” have?
“Foreboding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong feeling that something bad is about to happen.
