auspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'auspicious' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is favorable or promising of success. For example, "The first day of school was an auspicious start to the new year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Similarly it's impossible to know where the Brisbane Broncos stand but it was hardly an auspicious start to Wayne Bennett's new reign.

The Guardian - Sport

Planting, cultivating and harvesting are carried out on auspicious days, as dictated by phases of the moon; beauty and artistic harmony are also important, though, so this is not some haphazard vegetable plot but a superbly designed and executed space.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Mum is delighted that her only son and her first granddaughter were born on the same day; she sees it as an auspicious connection and as we take a walk, baby in sling, in the spring sunshine, it reminds her of how proud and happy she felt showing off her newborn son in his Silver Cross pram.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It comes at an auspicious time for both parties.

The Economist

THE circumstances were not auspicious.

The New York Times

THE announcement looked far from auspicious.

The Economist

"The scene did not whet one's appetite for more," remarked the online edition of Die Welt.It was not an auspicious moment for the man expected to be foreign minister in Chancellor Angela Merkel's new government.

The Economist

The big picture is auspicious: Aggreko is the only outfit with the global reach to deal with the blackouts and shortages that are increasingly frequent in developing countries.There are also risks at home, however.

The Economist

Hardly an auspicious nickname for a currency that aspires to be one of the most important in the world.Gabriel Stein LondonSIR – Right back at you across the pond: Sprain, Bad Reportugal, Inkland, Direland, Not-so-Niceland, Greece Trap, Francid, Itally, Wild Turkey, Check Republic, Repoland, Slowvakia.

The Economist

IT HAS been an auspicious start to the year in Colombia.

The Economist

No temples required, just plenty of auspicious red and gold decorations, food stalls, toy stands and of course cars (for sale or just to admire).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a beginning or initial event, use "auspicious" to set a tone of potential success. For example, "An "auspicious" start to the project instilled confidence in the team."

Common error

Avoid using "auspicious" to describe negative or unfortunate events. The word inherently implies a positive outlook or favorable circumstances. For example, do not say "The accident was an "auspicious" event" because it is contradictory.

Linguistic Context

The word "auspicious" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are likely to bring success or good fortune. Ludwig's examples show it qualifying various beginnings, moments, and signs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "auspicious" signifies something conducive to success, indicating a favorable or promising beginning or circumstance. Ludwig AI confirms that "auspicious" is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and formal business contexts. While synonyms like "promising" or "favorable" exist, "auspicious" carries a distinct nuance of potential and optimism. Use it to describe positive starts or moments, and avoid using it in negative contexts. The Economist and The New York Times are good examples of authoritative sources that frequently employ the word "auspicious".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

auspiciously timed

Focuses specifically on the timing of an event being beneficial.

promising

Focuses on the potential for a positive outcome in the future.

favorable

Emphasizes conditions that are conducive to success or a positive result.

of good omen

Emphasizes the predictive quality of an event suggesting a positive future.

propitious

Suggests divine favor or a particularly opportune moment.

fortunate

Highlights the role of luck or good fortune in a situation.

opportune

Indicates a particularly well-timed or advantageous moment.

lucky

A more informal synonym, indicating a chance for success.

encouraging

Suggests that something is inspiring confidence and hope.

benign

Implies a gentle and kind influence, contributing to a positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "auspicious" in a sentence?

Use "auspicious" to describe events or situations that seem likely to lead to success or a positive outcome. For example, "The company's stock market debut was an "auspicious" start to the fiscal year".

What are some alternatives to saying "auspicious"?

You can use alternatives like "promising", "favorable", or "propitious" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "auspicious" versus "fortunate"?

"Auspicious" emphasizes the potential for future success based on current signs, while "fortunate" highlights the role of luck or chance. An "auspicious" beginning suggests a promising path ahead, while a fortunate event simply means you got lucky.

Is "auspicious" always related to serious or formal situations?

While "auspicious" is often used in more formal contexts, it can also apply to everyday situations where there's a sense of good fortune or positive prospects. It's less about formality and more about conveying a sense of optimism.