PROPITIOUS Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

propitious

[ pruh-pish-uhs ]
See synonyms for propitious on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. presenting favorable conditions; favorable: propitious weather.

  2. indicative of favor; auspicious: propitious omens.

  1. favorably inclined; disposed to bestow favors or forgive: propitious gods.

Origin of propitious

1
1400–50; late Middle English propicius<Latin propitius favorably inclined, propitious, probably equivalent to pro-pro-1 + -pit-, combining form of petere to head for, resort to, solicit + -ius adj. suffix; see -ous

Other words from propitious

  • pro·pi·tious·ly, adverb
  • pro·pi·tious·ness, noun
  • un·pro·pi·tious, adjective
  • un·pro·pi·tious·ly, adverb
  • un·pro·pi·tious·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use propitious in a sentence

  • This smithy of Newlands filled the function which under a higher propitiousness of circumstance is answered by a club.

    A Son of Hagar | Sir Hall Caine
  • Will you have the propitiousness, the kindness to stay and communicate unto me whether Squire Foster is in his residence?

    Talkers | John Bate
  • What an ideal traveller Euralina would be under a wider propitiousness of circumstance!

  • "Neither do I." And then, sure of the shadow and the propitiousness of the moment, he kissed her.

    The Lure of the Mask | Harold MacGrath
  • They lay at anchor in river mouth, waiting on propitiousness.

    1492 | Mary Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for propitious

propitious

/ (prəˈpɪʃəs) /


adjective
  1. favourable; auguring well

  2. gracious or favourably inclined

Origin of propitious

1
C15: from Latin propitius well disposed, from prope close to

Derived forms of propitious

  • propitiously, adverb
  • propitiousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012