What does premonitory mean?
Premonitory means relating to an advance warning or to a presentiment that a future event will occur. The word is commonly used for signs, feelings, dreams, and intuitions that foreshadow danger, disaster, or another important development. A premonitory dream, for example, feels like a vivid warning rather than an ordinary dream, while a premonitory sign suggests that something bad is about to happen. Although not limited to negative events, the word tends to have an ominous connotation because premonitions are most often associated with anxiety, danger, or unusual foreknowledge. It is more formal and literary than everyday alternatives such as “warning” or “foreboding,” but it can be effective in serious writing and conversation when a sense of unexplained anticipation needs emphasis.
adjectiveRelating to or indicating an advance warning or presentiment of a future event.
- Indicating or constituting an advance warning of a future event.
- Based on a presentiment or feeling that something will occur.
"She experienced a premonitory sense of danger before the storm reached the village."
"The premonitory rumble of thunder made everyone pause."
"Her premonitory dream was so vivid that she remembered it for years."
A premonitory dream can turn an ordinary night into a rehearsal for the future—sometimes accurate, often unforgettable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does premonitory come from?
Premonitory comes from Latin praemonitorius, meaning “giving warning in advance.” That form was derived from praemonere, formed from prae- (“before”) and monere (“to warn or admonish”). The English related forms premonitor and premonition preserve the same Latin roots and convey the idea of warning or presentiment before an event.
Related word forms
How premonitory is actually used
The adjective is usually associated with signs, feelings, dreams, or sensations that seem to warn of an impending event. It often carries a serious or ominous tone.
Easily confused with premonitory
Premonitory is an adjective describing something that warns of a future event, while premonition is the feeling or belief itself.