propitious
- Giving or indicating a good chance of success; presenting favorable circumstances.
- Favorably disposed toward someone; gracious (archaic or literary use).
In a sentence
- The clear skies and calm seas seemed propitious for the crew's long voyage ahead.
- Analysts waited for a more propitious moment to launch the new product line.
Usage note. Propitious is commonly collocated with 'moment,' 'time,' or 'conditions'; it is formal and somewhat literary, less common in casual speech than 'favorable' or 'auspicious.'
Where it comes from
English propitious · entered English early 15th c.
From Latin 'propitius,' meaning 'favorable, gracious,' possibly related to 'prope,' meaning 'near,' suggesting the idea of being close or well-disposed. It entered English in the early 15th century, often in religious contexts of divine favor.