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Definition of ominous

ominous

/ˈɑː.mɪ.nəs/
om · i · nous
Adverb:ominously
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ominous Lexical Profile

ominous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Giving the worrying impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening or inauspicious.

Example

"Dark, ominous clouds gathered on the horizon just before the summer storm broke."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for ominous

• Rhymes for ominous

• Nearby Words

omeprazole
omerta
omicron
ominous
ominously
ominousness
omission

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin ominosus, meaning 'full of foreboding,' from omen ('sign' or 'portent'). Originally used for both favorable and unfavorable portents in Roman augury, the English word quickly narrowed to exclusively negative signs.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ominous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ominous
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