sinister
sinister Lexical Profile
sinister Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Giving the impression that something harmful, threatening, or evil is happening or will happen.
"A sinister silence fell over the abandoned mansion as the storm clouds gathered overhead."
Wicked, corrupt, or motivated by malicious intent.
"The investigative journalist uncovered a sinister plot to defraud the pension fund."
Of, on, or toward the left-hand side of a heraldic shield from the bearer's point of view (appearing on the viewer's right).
"The family coat of arms featured a silver lion rampant on the sinister side of the crest."
Word Nuance & Usage
In heraldry, 'sinister' refers to the left side of a shield from the perspective of the person bearing it, which appears on the right side to an outside viewer; when used in this technical sense, it typically follows the noun it modifies (e.g., 'bend sinister').
• Rhymes for sinister
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'sinistre', from Latin 'sinister' meaning 'left' or 'on the left side', which acquired negative connotations because Roman augurs considered omens appearing on the left side to be unlucky or unfavorable.