UNPROMISING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does unpromising mean? 

• UNPROMISING (adjective)
  The adjective UNPROMISING has 1 sense:

1. unlikely to bring about favorable results or enjoyment

  Familiarity information: UNPROMISING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNPROMISING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unlikely to bring about favorable results or enjoyment

Context example:

music for unpromising combinations of instruments

Similar:

inauspicious; unfortunate (not auspicious; boding ill)

 Context examples 

Agnes said she was afraid I must have given her an unpromising character; but Dora corrected that directly.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

There was, at times, a want of spirits about him which, if it did not denote indifference, spoke of something almost as unpromising.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

That is the most unpromising circumstance, the strongest presumption against him.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Under these unpromising auspices, the parting took place, and the journey began.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

“That looks unpromising,” said Tiffey.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“Very unpromising,” said Mr. Jorkins.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

When I allowed him to go on a little before, on account of the narrowness of the way, I observed that he carried his head with a lofty air that was particularly unpromising; and my mind misgave me that he had found out about my darling Dora.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The gentleman spoken of was a gentleman with a very unpromising squint, and a prominent chin, who had a tall white hat on with a narrow flat brim, and whose close-fitting drab trousers seemed to button all the way up outside his legs from his boots to his hips.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)