ominous weather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ominous weather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe weather conditions that are threatening or suggestive of something bad or dangerous about to happen. Example: "As the storm clouds gathered on the horizon, the ominous weather made everyone uneasy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

This day of ominous weather will forever belong to him.

The New York Times - Sports

IS IT Skipper Bivins as he urges a noodling expedition onward despite the approach of ominous weather?

The New York Times - Arts

That morning, despite the ominous weather, much of the team had arrived and eagerly jumped to work.

The New York Times - Magazine

The use of the open date conspired with an ominous weather report to make the announcement of the crowd at 25,953 appear very generous.

The New York Times - Sports

John Dutton came with his wife, two children and a Chihuahua after a sleepless night watching ominous weather graphics on television.

The New York Times

B5 SPORTS D1-8 Yanks Postpone Opener Ominous weather forecasts for today prompted the Yankees to move their opening game at Yankee Stadium to tomorrow.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The body of a country singer was recovered on Monday at an Oklahoma lake, one week after he disappeared while going duck hunting with a companion who had sent an ominous tweet about threatening weather.

The Guardian - Music

The third round was played under a low ceiling of clouds, with an ominous Sunday weather forecast turning the day a deeper shade of gray.

The New York Times - Sports

McEuen, however, animates the book with a strong sense of place, artfully depicting the brooding beauty, the craggy landscapes, the ominous, oppressive weather of upstate New York.

Los Angeles Times

The sound is exotic, full of insect life - whining and rasping - the musical weather ominous.

The Guardian - Music

In addition to unsettled weather, ominous portents include the groom's mislaying of the ring, and his first squabble with Dolly, in which he refuses to take her beloved pet turtle on the overseas voyage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ominous weather" to create a sense of suspense or foreshadowing in your writing. It is particularly effective in narratives where the weather mirrors the emotional state or impending events.

Common error

Avoid having characters directly state that the weather is "ominous" in dialogue unless it's a stylistic choice. It often sounds unnatural. Show the ominous nature through their actions and the environment instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ominous weather" primarily functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun to convey a sense of impending danger or negativity related to the atmospheric conditions. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ominous weather" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes weather conditions suggesting impending danger or negative events. As supported by Ludwig AI, it functions descriptively, setting a mood of foreboding and is frequently found in news, media and literature, with neutral to slightly formal tone. Consider alternatives like ""threatening weather"" or ""foreboding weather"" for nuanced expression. Use "ominous weather" to enrich narratives and establish atmosphere, but avoid overuse in dialogue to maintain realism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

threatening weather conditions

Replaces "ominous" with "threatening" and adds "conditions" for emphasis on specific circumstances.

foreboding weather

Substitutes "ominous" with "foreboding", which implies a strong sense of impending doom.

ill-boding weather

Replaces "ominous" with the slightly more archaic "ill-boding", suggesting a negative omen.

menacing weather

Uses "menacing" instead of "ominous", highlighting the threatening nature of the weather.

unsettling weather

Emphasizes the disturbing or disquieting aspect of the weather, rather than a specific threat.

severe weather warning

Focuses on the official warning issued for potentially dangerous weather.

inclement weather

A more general term for harsh or unfavorable weather conditions.

stormy weather

Specifically refers to weather characterized by storms, which may or may not be ominous.

dangerous weather

Highlights the potential harm that the weather could cause.

turbulent weather

Focuses on the instability and erratic nature of the weather.

FAQs

How can I use "ominous weather" in a sentence?

You can use "ominous weather" to describe a situation where the atmospheric conditions suggest that something bad or dangerous is about to happen. For example: "The picnic was cancelled due to the "ominous weather" forecast."

What's a good alternative to "ominous weather"?

Alternatives include "threatening weather", "foreboding weather", or "menacing weather". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the weather was ominous"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Ominous" is an adjective that can describe weather. Saying "the weather was ominous" is a perfectly acceptable way to describe threatening or foreboding conditions.

What does "ominous" mean in the context of weather?

In the context of weather, "ominous" means that the weather conditions suggest something bad or dangerous is likely to happen soon. It implies a sense of foreboding or impending doom.