superstitious

[soo-per-stish-uhs]

adjective

1. of the nature of, characterized by, or proceeding from superstition.

   superstitious fears.

2. pertaining to or connected with superstition.

   superstitious legends.

3. believing in, full of, or influenced by superstition.

superstitious

/ ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃəs /

adjective

1. disposed to believe in superstition

2. of or relating to superstition

Other Word Forms

• superstitiously adverb
• superstitiousness noun
• oversuperstitious adjective
• oversuperstitiously adverb
• oversuperstitiousness noun
• unsuperstitious adjective
• unsuperstitiously adverb
• unsuperstitiousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of superstitious¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English supersticious, from Latin superstitiōsus, from superstiti(ō) superstition + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

Barker says he is superstitious and has fine-tuned his routine to prepare for an auction.

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“It’s all superstitious claptrap anyway, dear. Let’s do what the woman says and get it over with.”

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The superstitious Sonoda wears the same pair of lucky underwear on days Yamamoto pitches.

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Anti-intellectualism, anti-rationalism and feverish emotion: These traits best express themselves in a hatred of universities, science and learning more generally, and a superstitious embrace of faith, intuition and gut feelings.

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If Los Angeles is acting a little superstitious this week, blame it on the Dodgers.

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Related Words

• apprehensive