propitious

adjective

pro·​pi·​tious prə-ˈpi-shəs 

1

: favorably disposed : benevolent

2

: being a good omen : auspicious

propitious sign

3

: tending to favor : advantageous

propitiously adverb

propitiousness noun

Did you know?

Propitious, which comes to us through Middle English from the Latin word propitius, is a synonym of favorable and auspicious. All three essentially mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," with some differences of emphasis. Favorable implies that someone or something involved in a situation is approving or helpful ("a favorable recommendation"), or that circumstances are advantageous ("favorable weather conditions"). Auspicious usually applies to a sign or omen that promises success before or at the start of an event ("an auspicious beginning"). Propitious may also apply to beginnings, but it often suggests a continuing promising condition ("propitious conditions for an alliance").

Synonyms

• promising
• bright
• optimistic

Choose the Right Synonym for propitious

favorable, auspicious, propitious mean pointing toward a happy outcome.

favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition.

a propitious time for starting a business

Examples of propitious in a Sentence

Now is a propitious time to start a business.

the success of the first big movie in May was a propitious start for the summer season of blockbusters

Recent Examples on the Web

Canal supporters identified the break in the Appalachian Mountains at the junction of the Mohawk River and the Hudson as a propitious place to dig a channel to Lake Erie. —Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025

Entering the season with enormous expectations after a propitious debut with the Gophers in 2024, naturally, must be quite the pinch-me experience for the second-year safety. —Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025

Seasoned consignors want propitious placement in the sale: near the start, but not too near. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

The window of time for planting corn is closing, but now is still a propitious moment to sow its seeds. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English propycyous, from Anglo-French propicius, from Latin propitius, probably from pro- for + petere to seek — more at pro-, feather

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for propitious

• adventitious
• cementitious
• expeditious
• inauspicious
• injudicious
• meretricious
• repetitious
• superstitious
• surreptitious
• unambitious
• unpropitious
• unsuspicious

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Kids Definition

propitious

adjective

pro·​pi·​tious prə-ˈpish-əs 

1

: giving favorable signs of the success of something to come : promising

a propitious first interview

2

: likely to produce good results

a propitious undertaking