Vocabulary
Ominous meaning: a sign that something bad may happen
A dark cloud does not cause a storm. It can still feel ominous because it makes people expect one.
Use ominous for a sign, sound, look, or feeling that suggests something bad may happen.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
ominous /ˈɒm.ɪ.nəs/
The short answer
Ominous means suggesting that something bad may happen soon.
The sudden silence in the room felt ominous.
Why it works: The silence is a sign that makes the speaker expect trouble.
3 more examples
-
The weather forecast gave an ominous warning about high winds overnight.
The warning suggests that difficult weather may be coming.
Not this:The weather forecast gave
a useful warningabout high winds overnight. What changes: Useful tells us that the warning helps. Ominous tells us that it suggests danger or trouble. -
An ominous crack appeared in the old bridge after the storm.
The crack suggests that the bridge may have a serious problem.
Not this:
A dangerous crackappeared in the old bridge after the storm. What changes: Dangerous says that the crack can cause harm. Ominous focuses on the warning sign and the fear it creates. -
His ominous tone made the team expect bad news.
The tone gives people the feeling that something unpleasant is about to be said.
Not this:
His quiet tonemade the team expect bad news. What changes: Quiet describes volume. Ominous describes the worrying suggestion behind the tone.
Read the full guide
Use ominous when the warning or feeling comes before the possible bad event. If the thing is already causing harm, dangerous or harmful may be a better choice.
Look for a warning sign
Ominous usually points forward. Something in the present makes people think that a bad event may follow. It can be a visible sign, such as black smoke, or a feeling created by a situation.
The empty street and broken lights gave the area an ominous feel.
Use it for sounds, looks, and messages
The word often goes with silence, voice, message, sign, cloud, sound, or look. These things are not always harmful by themselves. They make people expect something harmful.
The phone displayed an ominous message: 'Meeting moved to 8 a.m.'
Separate ominous from dangerous
Dangerous describes a real risk of harm. Ominous describes a sign that makes a bad outcome seem likely. Sometimes both words fit, but they draw attention to different parts of the situation.
A loose wire is dangerous because it can hurt someone. Smoke near the wire may be ominous because it suggests a fire could start.
Hear the first syllable clearly
Say OM-i-nous in three syllables. Keep the first syllable strong, then make the final two syllables shorter. In connected speech, do not lose the first vowel.
Those clouds look ominous.
Choose the word in context
A manager pauses before a meeting and says, 'We need to talk about the budget.' Is ominous a good word for the manager's tone?
Yes, if the tone makes the staff expect bad news. The tone is not the bad news itself. It suggests that bad news may follow.
Before you go
Remember this
Use ominous for a sign, sound, message, look, or atmosphere that suggests trouble may be ahead. It often appears before nouns such as sign, silence, warning, cloud, feeling, or tone.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Ominous meaning: a sign that something bad may happen"
What does ominous mean?
Ominous means suggesting that something bad may happen. It often describes a sign, sound, silence, or feeling before the possible bad event.
The weather forecast gave an ominous warning about high winds overnight.
Is ominous the same as dangerous?
No. Dangerous means able to cause harm. Ominous means giving a warning or feeling that harm or trouble may be coming.
The weather forecast gave a useful warning about high winds overnight.
Can I say ominous clouds?
Yes. Ominous clouds look as if they may bring a storm or other bad weather.
An ominous crack appeared in the old bridge after the storm.
Can ominous describe a person?
It can describe a person's look, voice, smile, or tone when that feature makes others expect trouble. It is less common to call a person ominous by itself.
A dangerous crack appeared in the old bridge after the storm.
How do you pronounce ominous?
In British English, say OM-i-nous: /ˈɒm.ɪ.nəs/. The stress is on the first syllable.
His ominous tone made the team expect bad news.
Questions & comments
Ask about this lesson, share an example, or help another learner.
