What does sinister mean?
Word: Sinister
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Sinister means making you feel that something evil, dangerous or harmful is happening or is about to happen.
Synonyms: menacing, threatening, ominous, evil
Antonyms: harmless, innocent, friendly
Word origin: Comes from Latin sinister.
How do you spell sinister?
Syllables: sin - is - ter
Tricky part: The second vowel is i, not e. That middle sound is weak when spoken, so many students write sinester.
Watch out for: sinester, synister
Memory tip: Both vowels before the ending are i: picture two thin candles standing side by side in a dark, sinister room.
Sinister in a sentence
Example 1: The empty fort looked sinister in the fog, so we turned back before sunset.
Example 2: There was something sinister about the unsigned letter pushed under our door.
Example 3: Storm clouds gave the hills a sinister look, and the match was called off.
Fun Fact
In heraldry, the study of coats of arms, the two sides of a shield are still known by their Latin names, dexter and sinister.
Practise the CREST Way
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
Sinister comes from the Latin word sinister. What did the Latin word mean?
a) up above
b) at the back
c) on the left side
d) on the right side
Show answer
c) on the left side. In Latin sinister meant left; over the centuries the English sense moved to 'threatening'.
Spellacadabra
Choose the misspelt word:
a) banister
b) sinistor
c) register
d) canister
Show answer
b) sinistor. English kept this ending unchanged from the word it borrowed; -tor is a slip made by ear.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
rsenitis
a) careful not to waste any money
b) kind and gentle towards others
c) suggesting that something bad is planned or hidden
d) very tired after long, hard work
Show answer
c) suggesting that something bad is planned or hidden. Sorted out, the eight letters give a word for something that seems to threaten harm.
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) placid : calm
b) swift : quick
c) sinnister : menacing
d) frail : weak
Show answer
c) sinnister : menacing. Each pair joins two words of similar meaning, and sinister needs only one n.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would a writer most likely call sinister?
a) the smell of bread in an oven
b) a puppy chasing its own tail
c) a cold laugh from a dark doorway
d) a family dinner on a birthday
Show answer
c) a cold laugh from a dark doorway
2. In which sentence does sinister fit best?
a) The sinister rumble of thunder sent the shepherds hurrying home.
b) Her sinister smile made the whole class feel welcome.
c) The sinister puppy wagged its tail at every guest.
d) We had a sinister picnic with cake and lemonade.
Show answer
a) The sinister rumble of thunder sent the shepherds hurrying home.
