inauspicious

Everyday

(formal) Inauspicious means showing signs that things will go badly; unlucky or not a good start. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and news, an inauspicious start means things began badly, though they may get better. Writers use it to hint that trouble is coming. In history, some people believed in omens, so they thought certain days or signs were inauspicious. Phrases: an inauspicious start, inauspicious beginnings.

Examples

• The trip had an inauspicious start: the bus broke down. tree →
• It was an inauspicious beginning for the new team, losing 5–0. tree →
• Rain on the first day of the fair seemed inauspicious. tree →
• The Romans thought some bird signs were inauspicious. tree →
• Despite inauspicious beginnings, she became a great scientist. tree →
• Falling over at the start of the race was inauspicious. tree →

Note

Formal. «In-» means not; «auspicious» means a good sign. Say «in-aw-SPISH-us».