An Encylopedia Britannica Company

July 17, 2018 Word of the Day

portend /poɚˈtɛnd/ verb
portend
/poɚˈtɛnd/
verb

portends; portended; portending

Dark clouds portend a storm.
Dark clouds portend a storm.
Definition of PORTEND

[+ object] formal + literary

: to be a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen

  • The distant thunder portended a storm.

  • If you're superstitious, a black cat portends trouble.

More Words of the Day