Etymology Map
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Sinister

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means giving the impression of evil

Where does the word "sinister" come from? It comes from Latin sinister, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sinister
Latin · ancient
"left, unlucky"
Roman augurs treated signs on the left as unlucky
2
Stage 2 of 3
sinistre
Old French · medieval
"sinister"
heraldry's 'bend sinister' runs from the bearer's left
3
Stage 3 of 3
sinister
English · 1400s
"dishonest"
heraldic 'bend sinister' keeps the 'left' sense
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Read the full story

Sinister’s story begins in Latin: sinister meant “left, unlucky.” Roman augurs treated signs on the left as unlucky. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sinistre. Heraldry's 'bend sinister' runs from the bearer's left. It reached English by 1400s as sinister. Heraldic 'bend sinister' keeps the 'left' sense. Today, sinister means giving the impression of evil.