How to pronounce portent
Say it like POR-tent. Portent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce portent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POR
- tent
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Portent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tentKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of portent
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAW-tent.
What does portent mean?
- Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.“It was a portent of things to come.”
- A portending; significance“a howl of dire portent”
- Something regarded as portentous; a marvel; prodigy.
Where does portent come from?
Borrowed from Latin portentum, participle of portendere, from portendō (“to predict, to foretell”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying portent
How do you pronounce portent?
Say POR-tent. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔrtɛnt/. In British English it is /ˈpɔːtɛnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in portent?
Portent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POR). Broken into parts: POR · tent.
Is portent 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 /ˈpɔːtɛnt/ (PAW-tent).