inauspicious

What does “inauspicious” mean?

adjective.not conducive to success; unpromising.

SAT Usage

inauspicious is typically used in contexts involving fate, fortune, or early signs of failure. It emphasizes a sense of foreboding or a negative outlook on future events, distinguishing it from similar words like "unfortunate," which may not carry the same implication of an ominous beginning.

Common Confusions

Inauspicious implies an ominous sign of failure or bad luck, while unfortunate usually suggests a regrettable situation that lacks the same foreboding connotation.

Example Sentences

• The meeting got off to an inauspicious start.

• The day began with an inauspicious mistake, but they recovered.

Word Parts: How to Remember “inauspicious”

Break “inauspicious” into its parts: in- (not). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: in- not (Latin)