French Conversation · Level 148
30 words
French word
sinistre
Pronunciation
IPA/sinistʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivespooky
Example
Cette maison a un air sinistre.
This house has a spooky feel.
More examples
Le vieil homme avait un sourire sinistre.
The old man had a sinister smile.
Core concept
A gloomy setting that makes hidden danger feel close.
Common phrases
un air sinistre
a sinister air
un regard sinistre
a sinister look
Similar words
inquiétant: Unsettling and likely to cause worry or concern.
menaçant: Suggesting that danger or a threat is near.
effrayant: Causing strong fear or fright.
sombre: Dark and gloomy, creating a heavy or oppressive mood.
Definition in French
Qui donne l'impression d'un mauvais présage ou d'un danger latent, par son aspect ou son ambiance.
Word origin
French sinistre comes from Latin sinister, 'left'; old associations of the left side with ill luck helped give the word its ominous sense.
Usage tips
- In insurance, un sinistre names a loss or damaging event, so the article and sentence role distinguish this noun from the adjective.
Other meanings
- ominousadjective
- lossnoun
- disasternoun
Opposites
- chaleureuxwarmadjective
- accueillantwelcomingadjective