Auspicious
/ɔːˈspɪʃəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Auspicious describes a time, event, or situation that gives a good feeling about the future. It means that things are likely to go well or have a happy result. People often use it when they want to say something is lucky or a good start.
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⚡ See It in Action
Showing signs of future success or good luck
- •They chose an auspicious day for the wedding.
- •The new business had an auspicious start with many customers.
- •The clear sky was an auspicious sign for the outdoor event.
Favorable or promising conditions
- •The weather was auspicious for the harvest this year.
- •His first speech was an auspicious beginning to his political career.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "auspicious" like "good" or "lucky," but more formal and about the future—like a good sign that things will go well.
- ✓Picture a sunny morning with birds singing before an important day—it feels like a good, lucky start.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when everything seems to be going right at the beginning of a new project or event.
- ✓Sounds like "aw-SPISH-us" → imagine a special wish (like a wish for success) being whispered softly at the start of something new.
- ✓Remember stories where heroes begin their journey with a lucky sign or gift—this is an auspicious moment.
- ✓NOT like "random" (no special meaning), "auspicious" means there is a clear sign of success or luck.
- ✓NOT like "unlucky" or "bad," because auspicious always has a positive meaning.
- ✓NOT like "ordinary," because it suggests something better than normal or usual.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Favorable: showing good conditions or signs (Use when you want to say something is good or helpful but less about luck)
- •Promising: likely to be successful (Use when focusing on future success more than luck)
- •Fortunate: having good luck (Use when emphasizing chance or luck rather than signs)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "auspici-" meaning "looking at birds for signs" + "-ous" meaning "full of"
- •Etymology: Latin origin, related to ancient Roman practice of watching birds to predict good or bad events
- •Historical development: Originally about signs from birds showing good or bad luck; now used generally for any good sign or lucky moment
- •Modern usage: Used to describe good or lucky signs, especially at the start of important events or decisions
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can a situation be both auspicious and risky at the same time? How would you decide?
•How do cultural beliefs about luck and signs influence what people consider auspicious?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.They planned the ceremony on an auspicious day because they believed it would ___ their future happiness.
2.An auspicious start to a project usually means the first steps went ___ and gave hope for success.
3.Unlike a random choice, choosing an auspicious moment means picking a time with ___ signs.
4.When the team won their first game, it was an auspicious ___ for the season.
5.People often look for auspicious ___ like weather or events before making big decisions.
6.The speech was so well received that it created an auspicious ___ for the speaker’s career.
7.Even though the day was auspicious, they still prepared carefully because success is not ___ guaranteed.