ominous

Meanings

• adjective

  1. Evoking fear, dread, or apprehension; sinister or foreboding.

  - "The stormy weather gave an ominous feeling."
  - "The ominous silence before the attack was deafening."

• adjective

  2. (of a sign or symptom) Indicating a serious or impending danger.

  - "The rash on his body was an ominous sign."
  - "The doctor's diagnosis carried an ominous tone."

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Synonyms

inauspicious , portentous , threatening , portentous , sinister , threatening

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with ominous
sinister , hazardous , perilous , pernicious

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Variants

List of all variants of ominous that leads to same result
ominous , ominously , ominousness , ominousnesses

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Old French ominieux, from omine 'sign, omen'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word 'ominous' comes from the Latin word 'omnis', which means 'all'.

2. The term 'ominous portent' has been used in literature since ancient times, with one of the earliest recorded uses being in Homer's 'Odyssey'.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. ominous portent: An event or sign that is considered an omen of something threatening or ominous.

2. ominous presence: The feeling or sensation of being in the presence of something dangerous, threatening, or ominous.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. Not many sets of initials became universally recognizable during the twentieth century, and those that did often had "ominous" overtones, from SS to KGB.

   - Geoffrey Wheatcroft,{it}Atlantic{/it},March 2001

2. Arranged in two long and "ominous" rows, the branding irons dangled from the ceiling in the center of the room, suggesting some sort of fence or jail …

   - Lewis H. Lapham,{it}Harper's{/it},May 1993

3. Fighting against sensations that sought to claim him, he moved nervously and the note in his hand rattled with a dry and "ominous" whisper.

   - Richard Wright,{it}Rite of Passage{/it},1994

4. While politicians and multinational corporations extol the virtues of NAFTA … the "ominous" curtain is already up in a six-mile section at the border crossing at Mexicali …

   - Leslie Marmon Silko,{it}Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit{/it},1996

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The 'ominous' has been used extensively in literature and art to evoke a sense of fear, unease, or foreboding. In literature, it is often used to describe weather, settings, or situations that are threatening or dangerous. In art, it can be depicted through dark colors, twisted shapes, or ominous symbols.

How to Memorize "ominous"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a dark, stormy sky with ominous clouds looming overhead. Visualize the feeling of fear or apprehension that comes with the sight of such a scene.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'ominous' with words like 'danger', 'threatening', 'foreboding', and 'sinister'. Use these words to help remember the meaning of 'ominous'.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic phrase like 'Ominous means omens are in' to help remember the meaning of the word.

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