luck

1 of 2

noun

ˈlək 

1

a

: a force that brings good fortune or adversity

Luck was a big factor in the outcome.

b

: the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual

The loser muttered something about bad luck.

2

: favoring chance

also : success

had great luck growing orchids

luckless

ˈlək-ləs 

adjective

luck

2 of 2

verb

lucked; lucking; lucks

intransitive verb

1

: to prosper or succeed especially through chance or good fortune

—usually used with out

the hero lucks out and is able to escape

2

: to come upon something desirable by chance

—usually used with out, on, onto, or into

lucked into a wonderful opportunity

Synonyms of luck

Noun

• fortune
• fortunateness

Examples of luck in a Sentence

Noun

We had good luck fishing.

He's been having nothing but bad luck.

He succeeded through hard work and a little luck.

We need a bit of luck.

By a stroke of luck, there were still a few tickets left when we arrived.

“I've been looking for a new apartment.” “Any luck?” “No, not yet.”

I've had no luck in finding a new apartment.

He had no better luck than I did.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Athletics’ injury luck may have just gotten even worse, as improbable as that may seem. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026

For those looking to test their luck on the strip, or just get a little staycation in, use a 15% discount at any Caesars property in Las Vegas with promo code LOCAL. — Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026

Verb

This is why startup success should not be reduced to luck, charisma, or access to capital. — Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Advertisement But shouldn’t luck be removed from the equation? — Andrea Uptmor, Time, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lucke, from Middle Dutch luc; akin to Middle High German gelücke luck

Verb

derivative of luck entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing luck

• as luck would have it
• bad luck
• beginner's luck
• best of luck
• better luck next time
• down on one's luck
• for luck
• good luck
• hard-luck
• in luck
• just someone's luck
• lady luck
• Lady luck smiled on him
• Lotsa luck
• luck into
• luck out
• no such luck
• out of luck
• press one's luck
• push one's luck
• some people/guys have all the luck
• stroke of luck
• the luck of the draw
• tough luck
• try one's luck
• wish (someone) luck
• with (any) luck

Rhymes for luck

• chuck
• cluck
• duck
• huck
• muck
• pluck
• puck
• ruck
• schmuck
• shuck
• snuck
• struck

Kids Definition

luck

noun

ˈlək

1

: whatever happens to a person apparently by chance

have good luck fishing

2

: the accidental way events occur

happening by pure luck

3

: good fortune : success

have luck

be out of luck

luckless

-ləs

adjective