DictionaryAI

sinister

adjective
SIN-i-ster/ˈsɪnɪstɚ/UKSIN-i-stuh/ˈsɪnɪstə/

3 meanings of sinister

Practice

  1. 1
    eviladjective
    Evil or meant to harm, or making you feel that something bad or dangerous is happening or will happen.

    The old house looked sinister in the dark.

    We heard a sinister laugh coming from behind the door.

    UsagePeople often say there is something sinister about a person or place.

    Similarominous, menacing, threatening, malevolent, evil

    Oppositebenign, harmless, innocent, benevolent

  2. 2
    adjectiveobsolete
    Dishonest or wrong, because done in a sneaky, indirect way.
    Nimble and sinister tricks and shifts.
    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Judicature”Here, sinister means dishonest and sneaky.
    He scorns to undermine another's interest by any sinister or inferior arts.
    1667, Robert South, The Practice of Religion Enforced by ReasonHere, sinister means dishonest or underhanded, done in a sneaky way.
    Note
  3. 3
    shield's leftadjective
    On the left of a shield as seen by the person holding it. In old use, simply on the left.

    The town's arms show a tower on the sinister side.

    Look for the small star in the sinister corner of the shield.

    UsageIn shield terms it can come after the noun: a bend sinister.

    Oppositedexter

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin sinister, meaning “left”. People once thought the left side was unlucky, so the word came to mean unlucky or evil.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts