What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ominous
Example
The dark clouds and strong winds were ominous signs of an approaching storm. [ominous: adjective]
Example
The silence in the house was ominous, making me feel uneasy. [ominous: adjective]
foreboding
Example
I had a foreboding feeling that something terrible was going to happen. [foreboding: noun]
Example
The dark and eerie forest gave me a foreboding sense of danger. [foreboding: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ominous is more commonly used than foreboding in everyday language. Ominous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while foreboding is less common and may be seen as more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ominous and foreboding?
While both ominous and foreboding can be used in formal or literary contexts, foreboding may be seen as more formal due to its origin in Old English.
