Word: propitious (adjective)

Associations

"Propitious" means something is favorable or likely to bring good results. It often describes situations, conditions, or moments that are good for success or positive outcomes.

• The weather was propitious for the picnic. (The weather was good and helped the picnic go well.)
• It was a propitious time to start a new business. (The conditions were favorable for success.)
• The stars aligned in a propitious way for their journey. (Everything seemed to support a good trip.) A common synonym is "favorable." The difference is that "propitious" often suggests a special chance or moment that is especially good, while "favorable" is more general.

Substitution

You can use words like:

• favorable (general good conditions)
• auspicious (good signs for success, often more formal)
• promising (showing signs of future success) Changing the word can slightly change the feeling. For example, "auspicious" is often used for events or beginnings, while "promising" focuses on future potential.

Deconstruction

"Propitious" comes from Latin "propitius," meaning "favorably inclined." It has the root "pro-" meaning "forward" or "for," and "-pitious" related to "pity" or "favor." So, it literally means "showing favor or kindness forward," which fits its meaning of being favorable or lucky.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you had a propitious moment in your life?
• How would you describe a propitious day at school or work?
• What other situations could be described as propitious? What makes them special?