🇨🇳Chinese Source WordCode: ZH

不祥的

Native Script:中文汉字

Pronunciation / Transliteration: bùxiáng de

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Portentous/pɔːrˈtɛn.təs/
adjectiveCEFR C2 (Proficient)Top #14200 frequency
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🇨🇳 Example Sentence in Chinese:

"天空中布满了不祥的乌云。"

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Done in a pompous or overly solemn manner so as to impress; trying to be seen as very important and serious.

    "His portentous speech filled the auditorium with heavy, unwarranted drama."
  2. 2

    Of or like a portent; being a sign or warning that something momentous or disastrous is likely to happen.

    "Dark, portentous clouds gathered over the valley, signaling an approaching tempest."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'portentosus', meaning monstrous or marvelous, originating from 'portentum' (portent or sign). Entering the English language in the late 16th century, the word initially carried connotations of being wondrous or extraordinary before shifting primarily to describe something ominous or predictive of a momentous and tragic event.

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