Langimage
English

foreboding

|fore/bod/ing|

B2

🇺🇸

/fɔrˈboʊdɪŋ/

🇬🇧

/fɔːˈbəʊdɪŋ/

(forebode)

ominous feeling

Base Form3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNoun
forebodeforebodesforebodedforebodedforebodingforebodings
Etymology
Etymology Information

'foreboding' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'forebodian,' where 'fore-' meant 'before' and 'bodian' meant 'to announce.'

Historical Evolution

'forebodian' transformed into the Middle English word 'forboden,' and eventually became the modern English word 'foreboding.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to announce beforehand,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a feeling that something bad will happen.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a feeling that something bad will happen.

She had a foreboding that the trip would end in disaster.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adjective 1

implying or seeming to imply that something bad is going to happen.

The dark clouds gave the sky a foreboding appearance.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41