unlucky

adjective

un·​lucky ˌən-ˈlə-kē How to pronounce unlucky (audio)
1
: marked by adversity or failure
an unlucky year
2
: likely to bring misfortune : inauspicious
an unlucky number
3
: having or meeting with misfortune
unlucky people
4
: producing dissatisfaction : regrettable
unluckiness noun

Examples of unlucky in a Sentence

She was unlucky enough to get a flat tire on the way to her job interview. Some people think that 13 is an unlucky number. He thinks it's unlucky to have a black cat cross your path.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the film — which traces the years-long romance between Garfield’s earnest salesman Tobias and Pugh’s witty chef Almut amid illness, career and life milestones — standstill traffic, unlucky timing and a lack of better options forces a labor to take place in a gas station bathroom. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2024 An unlucky cup of pens might be pitched to the floor. Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 And one of the unlucky millions who was made to feel bad about it. Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024 James Fallows: An unlucky president, and a lucky man This is how Unger thinks. Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unlucky 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unlucky was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near unlucky

Cite this Entry

“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unlucky

adjective
un·​lucky ˌən-ˈlək-ē How to pronounce unlucky (audio)
ˈən-
1
: marked by bad luck or failure
an unlucky day
2
: likely to bring misfortune
an unlucky number
3
: having or meeting with misfortune
unlucky people
4
: causing distress or regret
unluckily
-ˈlək-ə-lē
adverb
unluckiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unlucky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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