auspicious

[ aw-spish-uhs ]

adjective

1. promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable:

   an auspicious occasion.

2. favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate.

auspicious

/ ɔːˈspɪʃəs /

adjective

1. favourable or propitious
2. archaic.
   prosperous or fortunate

Usage

The use of auspicious to mean `very special' (as in this auspicious occasion ) should be avoided

Derived Forms

• ausˈpiciously, adverb
• ausˈpiciousness, noun

Other Words From

• aus·picious·ly adverb
• aus·picious·ness noun
• unaus·picious adjective
• unaus·picious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of auspicious¹

First recorded in 1600–10; equivalent to Latin auspici(um) auspice + -ous

Example Sentences

“Sweethearts” streams on Max beginning Thanksgiving Day and marks an auspicious debut for Weiss.

From Los Angeles Times

Regardless of Ohtani’s status — he left the stadium shortly after the game without speaking to reporters — the Dodgers’ position in this World Series is nonetheless auspicious.

From Los Angeles Times

And most of all, they have Yamamoto, who backed up his big return from injury with an equally auspicious, if not equally dominant, second act.

From Los Angeles Times

It could, however, raise the profile of a new breed of Scout at an auspicious moment.

From Los Angeles Times

Protesters blew conch shells - the sound is considered auspicious.

From BBC

Related Words

• advantageous
• felicitous
• opportune
• promising
• propitious