auspicious

/ɔːˈspɪʃəs/

Group 25Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(adjective)
Conducive to success; favorable
GRE

Example in Context

The peace talks got off to an auspicious start, with both delegations expressing genuine enthusiasm for finding common ground.

Synonyms

promisingfavorablelucky

Etymology

Looking at omens that indicate good fortune.

  • auspicium (Latin) — omen
  • specere (Latin) — to look

Memory Aid

🔮Sounds like “a suspicious

A fortune teller grinning and saying, 'Don't be SUSPICIOUS, this is an AUSPICIOUS day for your fortune!'

Visual Association

🌈A bright rainbow arching over a wedding ceremony, signaling a day filled with joy and good luck.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “auspicious” mean on the GRE?

auspicious (adjective) means “Conducive to success; favorable”. The peace talks got off to an auspicious start, with both delegations expressing genuine enthusiasm for finding common ground.

How to remember “auspicious” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “auspicious” sounds like “a suspicious”. A fortune teller grinning and saying, 'Don't be SUSPICIOUS, this is an AUSPICIOUS day for your fortune!'

What are synonyms for “auspicious”?

Common synonyms: promising, favorable, lucky.