foreboding
UK: fɔːˈbəʊdɪŋ | US: fɔːrˈboʊdɪŋ
n. a strong feeling that something bad will happen
adj. implying or suggesting that something bad is coming
foreboding = fore<before> + bod<command/announce> + ing<noun/adj. suffix>
- fore: From Old English fore-, meaning "before" (time or position).
- bod: From Old English bodian, meaning "to announce" or "to command," related to boda (messenger).
- ing: A suffix forming nouns (e.g., "feeling") or adjectives (e.g., "upcoming").
Etymology Origin:
The word combines fore- (anticipation) with bod (a warning or announcement), originally tied to prophetic or ominous declarations. Over time, bod faded from common usage, but its sense of "warning" persisted in foreboding, reflecting a premonition of future harm.
The dark clouds gave a sense of foreboding before the storm.
She couldn’t shake the foreboding feeling that something was wrong.
His silence was a foreboding sign of disapproval.
The old house had an air of foreboding, as if it held secrets.
The news report filled the town with foreboding about the coming winter.