portentous /pɔrˈtɛn(t)əs/ adjective3 •Of momentous or ominous significance.Well may it sort [be fitting] that this portentous figure comes armed through our watch, so like the King that was and is the question of these wars. — 1599 •Ominously prophetic. •Puffed up with vanity. formsmore portentous · most portentous