sinister
/ˈsɪ.nɪ.stə/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Inauspicious, ominous, unlucky, illegitimate.
Adjective
Examples
bar sinister
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Evil or seemingly evil; indicating lurking danger or harm.
Adjective
Examples
sinister influences
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “sinister” mean?
Inauspicious, ominous, unlucky, illegitimate.
Is “sinister” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.