sinister

[ sin-uh-ster ]
/ ˈsɪn ə stər /

adjective

threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous: a sinister remark.
bad, evil, base, or wicked; fell: his sinister purposes.
unfortunate; disastrous; unfavorable: a sinister accident.
of or on the left side; left.
Heraldry. noting the side of an escutcheon or achievement of arms that is to the left of the bearer (opposed to dexter).

Origin of sinister

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin: on the left hand or side, hence unfavorable, injurious

OTHER WORDS FROM sinister

Example sentences from the Web for sinister

British Dictionary definitions for sinister

sinister
/ (ˈsɪnɪstə) /

adjective

threatening or suggesting evil or harm; ominous a sinister glance
evil or treacherous, esp in a mysterious way
(usually postpositive) heraldry of, on, or starting from the left side from the bearer's point of view and therefore on the spectator's right
archaic located on the left side
archaic (of signs, omens, etc) unfavourable
Compare dexter 1

Derived forms of sinister

sinisterly, adverb sinisterness, noun

Word Origin for sinister

C15: from Latin sinister on the left-hand side, considered by Roman augurs to be the unlucky one

Medical definitions for sinister

sinister
[ sĭnĭ-stər ]

adj.

Presaging trouble; ominous.
On the left side; left.