How to pronounce portend
Say it like por-TEND. Portend has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce portend. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- por
- TEND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Portend pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- porKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TENDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of portend
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: paw-TEND.
What does portend mean?
- To serve as a warning or omen of.
- To signify; to denote.“Let it be known that the Rapture portends the End of Days.”
Where does portend come from?
Borrowed from Latin portendere (“to foretell”), from por- (“forward”) + tendere (“to stretch”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with portend
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of portend.
Questions about saying portend
How do you pronounce portend?
Say por-TEND. The American pronunciation is /pɔrˈtɛnd/. In British English it is /pɔːˈtɛnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in portend?
Portend has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEND). Broken into parts: por · TEND.
Is portend pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /pɔːˈtɛnd/ (paw-TEND).