adj

sinister

SIH-nih-stuh

adj

Suggesting evil intent or hidden danger.

"There was something sinister about the way he smiled."

"A sinister figure lurked at the edge of the woods."

(heraldry) Relating to the left-hand side of a shield, as seen from behind it.

"The crest features a lion on the sinister side of the shield."

How to Use Sinister

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGiving off a menacing or threatening feeling.

Common mistake

The heraldry sense ("left side") is specialised and rarely used outside coats of arms — most people only ever mean the "menacing" sense.

Common pairings

sinister motive sinister figure something sinister

more sinister comparative, most sinister superlative

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There was something _____ about the way he smiled.

From Latin sinister, meaning "left" — the left side was historically associated with bad luck and ill omen.

sister lister mister twister meister blister keister minister register magister cloister banister