What does inauspicious mean?
Inauspicious describes something that seems to bring bad luck or to indicate that things are unlikely to succeed. It is commonly used for beginnings, occasions, signs, and developments: an inauspicious start, an inauspicious omen, or an inauspicious turn in events. The word often suggests that the circumstances are not merely unfavourable in a practical sense but may be viewed as a bad omen. Its tone is formal and literary, making it suitable for serious descriptions of history, politics, business, or personal experience. The related word auspicious means favourable or promising, and inauspicious is its direct opposite. Both words derive from ancient Roman ideas about watching birds and reading their movements as signs of future events, a practice associated with the Latin word auspex.
adjectiveNot favourable or promising; indicating or suggesting bad luck or an unsuccessful outcome. An inauspicious event, sign, or beginning is one that is discouraging or regarded as a bad omen.
- Not favourable or promising; regarded as indicating bad luck or an unfavourable outcome.
"The team made an inauspicious start, conceding an early goal."
"The weather made an inauspicious beginning for the expedition."
"The delayed launch was an inauspicious development for the project."
Some superstitions read the flight of birds as omens; “inauspicious” comes from the same ancient practice of interpreting birds as signs of what the future holds.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inauspicious come from?
The word comes through French from Latin inauspiciousus, meaning “unlucky” or “unfavourable.” Its element inauspicius ultimately combines the Latin prefix in-, meaning “not,” with auspici-, associated with auspices and the practice of interpreting the flight of birds. The related English words auspicious, auspice, and auspices preserve this same ancient root and its associations with omens and favourable signs.
Related word forms
How inauspicious is actually used
Formal and literary in tone, though it is widely used. It can describe concrete events and signs as well as figurative circumstances, such as an inauspicious beginning.