Definition of propitious
- propitious sign
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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
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Propitious, which comes to us through Middle English from the Latin word propitius (same meaning as "propitious"), is a synonym of "favorable" and "auspicious." All three essentially mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," with some differences of emphasis. "Favorable" implies that the persons involved in a situation are approving or helpful, 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").
First Known Use: 15th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearauspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful, likely, optimistic, promising, rose-colored, roseate, rosy, upbeat;
bleak, dark, depressing, desperate, discouraging, disheartening, dismal, downbeat, dreary, gloomy, hopeless, inauspicious, pessimistic, unencouraging, unlikely, unpromising, unpropitious;
cheering, comforting, reassuring, soothing;
assured, confident, decisive, doubtless, positive, sure, unhesitating;
: likely to have or produce good results
See words that rhyme with propitious Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for propitious Spanish Central: Translation of propitious Nglish: Translation of propitious for Spanish speakers
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