What does ominous mean?
Ominous describes something that suggests danger, misfortune, or an unpleasant development. It is especially useful for words, sounds, signs, and atmospheres that make a person feel that something bad is about to happen, even when no definite prediction is being made. An ominous silence, for example, suggests tension or the possibility of disaster without explicitly stating what will occur. The word often appears in journalism, literature, and descriptions of threatening weather or political and personal situations. Its effect comes from its combination of warning and atmosphere: it conveys not only that a negative outcome is possible but that the signs are already present. Ominous is more suggestive and literary than plainly negative or dangerous, making it a precise choice for describing ominous silence, warnings, signs, or developments.
adjectiveSuggesting that something bad or harmful will happen; ominous sounds, signs, or events have a threatening or sinister quality. The word can also mean indicating an impending difficulty or unpleasant outcome.
- Indicating or suggesting that something bad, harmful, or unwelcome will happen.
- Having a sinister, threatening, or unsettling atmosphere or quality.
"An ominous silence settled over the room as the storm approached."
"The forecast contained an ominous warning about the approaching hurricane."
"Her tone was calm, but something in his expression seemed ominous."
Ominous comes from the Latin omen, a sign or portent—especially one warning of coming misfortune.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ominous come from?
Ominous comes from Latin ominosus, meaning “of or relating to omens” or “portentous,” and ultimately from omen, meaning a sign or portent, especially one indicating impending misfortune. The word entered English during the early modern period, when English was increasingly drawing directly on Latin for learned and formal vocabulary. Words such as omen, ominal, and ominate reflect the same Latin family of terms concerning signs and foreboding.
Related word forms
How ominous is actually used
Ominous is formal and literary, though it is also common in journalism and serious descriptions of events. It can refer literally to a bad omen or figuratively to anything that creates a feeling of impending danger or misfortune.