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propitious Definition

pro·pi·tious (prō pis̸h′əs, prə-)

adjective

  1. favorably inclined or disposed; gracious the propitious gods
  2. boding well; favorable; auspicious a propitious omen
  3. that favors or furthers; advantageous propitious winds

Etymology: ME propicius < OFr < L propitius, favorable < pro-, before, forward + petere, to seek, desire, rush at: see feather

propitious Related Forms
pro·pi′·tiously adverb pro·pi′·tious·ness noun
propitious Synonyms

propitious

modif.

  1. Favorable

    favorable, auspicious, encouraging, promising; see hopeful 2.

  2. Kindly

    benignant, helpful, generous; see kind. See syn. study at favorable.

propitious Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • very: These are very propitious circumstances for a third party, of which Canada has at least two.
  • highly: An atmosphere is thus created which is highly propitious for the intriguers and political horse traders grouped around Journal du Peuple.
  • so: Men must have prospected almost fanatically to find so propitious a site.

Modifies a noun

  • circumstance: These are very propitious circumstances for a third party, of which Canada has at least two.
  • moment: For example, he specifically believed it was a propitious moment to finally get to work to prevent an arms race in outer space.
  • time: The Zodiac Man, for example, shows the propitious time for treating various ailments in any part of the body.
  • selection: Any balanced discussion of ' adverse ' selection should also note the converse phenomenon of propitious selection.
  • sign: This was a propitious sign, since it indicated no expectation of any attempt at a rescue.
  • period: The US dollar had also been through a propitious period, rising against a euro that still had to prove itself.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: The timing of this second campaign did not seem propitious.