ominous
/ˈɒmɪnəs/
adjective
Origin
Latin
omen — a sign or portend
Overview
Meaning Now
- Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening or inauspicious.
- Relating to or being an omen.
Literal older meaning
full of omens
Language path
Latin → Middle English → English
Earliest form
ominous
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The word developed from the Roman concept of 'omen,' which could originally be either favorable or unfavorable. Over time, particularly as it transitioned into English, the term became strongly associated with negative or threatening forebodings.
Evolution
- Latin
omen
“a sign or forewarning”
The base noun meaning a prognostic sign.
- Late Latin
ominosus
“full of omens”
Formed with the suffix -osus.
- Early Modern English
ominous
“portending evil”
Adopted into English, narrowing the sense specifically to evil or threatening omens.
Connections
Word parts
omin-
root
sign/omen
-ous
suffix
full of or having the quality of
Related across languages
French
omineux
ominous
Spanish
ominoso
ominous
Explore next
Related to ominous
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.