sinister

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
  2. adjective stemming from evil characteristics or forces; wicked or dishonorable; ; ; ; ; ; ; -Thomas Hardy
  3. adjective on or starting from the wearer's left

Etymology

From Middle English sinistre (“unlucky”), from Old French senestre, sinistre (“left”), from Latin sinister (“left hand”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

baleful, forbidding, menacing, minacious, minatory, ominous, threatening

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