adj
Uncommon
ominous
O-mih-nuhs
Ominous (adj) means suggesting that something bad is about to happen; threatening or foreboding. Example: “Dark clouds gathered in an ominous sky before the storm.”
adj
1
Suggesting that something bad is about to happen; threatening or foreboding.
"Dark clouds gathered in an ominous sky before the storm."
"His silence felt ominous after such a heated argument."
How to use ominous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGiving a sense that something bad is coming.
Common pairings
ominous silence
ominous sign
ominous clouds
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ominous
- Superlative
- most ominous
Fill the gap
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Dark clouds gathered in an _____ sky before the storm.
Etymology
From Latin ominosus, "full of foreboding," from omen.
Synonyms
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augurous
baleful
bodeful
boding
dire
disastrous
divine
fatal
foreboding
ill-fated
ill-boding
ill-omened
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ominous
See all rhymes for ominous →Frequently asked questions
What does “ominous” mean?
The word “ominous” means suggesting that something bad is about to happen; threatening or foreboding. In plain terms, giving a sense that something bad is coming.
How do you pronounce “ominous”?
“Ominous” is pronounced O-mih-nuhs (/ˈɑmɪnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ominous” in a sentence?
Here is “ominous” used in a sentence: “Dark clouds gathered in an ominous sky before the storm.”
What is another word for “ominous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ominous” include augurous, baleful, bodeful, boding, dire and disastrous.
What is the opposite of “ominous”?
The opposite of “ominous” — its antonyms — are auspicious, omenless and unomened.
What part of speech is “ominous”?
“Ominous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ominous” come from?
The word “ominous” comes from Latin. From Latin ominosus, "full of foreboding," from omen.
Is “ominous” a common word?
“Ominous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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