Auspicious
adj.hopeful, joyfulformal
What it means
Giving credible signs that a favorable result is likely.
Reach for it when marking a beginning or circumstance that encourages confidence
Clear skies and a full crew made an auspicious start to the expedition.
Choose between these
7- everyday
positive expectation is the central feeling
not when Hopeful can rest on desire alone, whereas auspicious points to a sign.
- everyday
early evidence supports hope for later success
not when Promising fits a person or project, while auspicious often marks a moment or sign.
- warm
progress gives people a reason to continue
not when Encouraging describes a response to evidence, not necessarily the conditions themselves.
- warm
good luck shaped the circumstance
not when Fortunate names luck in the present, not a sign pointing toward future success.
- professional
conditions objectively support the desired result
not when Favorable is measured and lacks auspicious's sense of a meaningful beginning.
- formal
the timing is particularly suitable
not when An opportune moment can be useful without predicting a good outcome.
- literary
circumstances seem exceptionally well timed
not when Propitious is rarer and sounds affected in ordinary business writing.
Said against
3- inauspicious
- ominous
- unpromising
It naturally appears in
3- auspicious start
The first clean test gave the project an auspicious start.
- auspicious occasion
The library opening was an auspicious occasion for the neighborhood.
- auspicious sign
The return of nesting birds was an auspicious sign for the restored marsh.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adjective sense: indicating a favorable outcome opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.