Omens And Signs

noun a sign or warning of a future event

verb to be a sign or warning of a future event

• The sudden drop in the stock market was seen as a foretoken of an impending economic downturn.
• The dark clouds gathering in the sky were a foretoken of the coming storm.
• Her constant sneezing is a foretoken that she's about to catch a cold.
• The howling of the wolves at night was considered a foretoken of danger lurking nearby.

verb to serve as a warning or indication of a future event

• The dark clouds gathering in the sky portend a storm approaching.
• I have a bad feeling about this, it seems to portend something negative.
• The sudden drop in sales numbers portend trouble for the company.
• The sudden appearance of a black cat crossing your path is said to portend bad luck.

noun a sign or warning that something momentous or calamitous is likely to happen

• The dark clouds gathering in the sky were seen as a portent of an impending storm.
• Seeing a black cat cross your path is often considered a portent of bad luck.
• The sudden chill in the air was a real portent that something was about to go down.
• The sudden drop in stock prices was a portent of the economic downturn ahead.