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
lucked; lucking; lucks
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
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
Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Riley doesn't have the best of luck with costumes in this episode.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
Over half of the generation says hard work, not luck, drives success.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luck
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
With no Honeywell to knock the cobwebs off, what’s Betts best bet for improving his luck at the plate?
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Riley doesn't have the best of luck with costumes in this episode.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
When judging others, assume all failure is due to bad decisions and all success was due to luck.
—Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025
Over half of the generation says hard work, not luck, drives success.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luck
Cite this Entry
“Luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luck. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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