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
Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
However, the man had yet to realize his luck had doubled.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Games like Aztec’s Treasure and Fortunes of Olympus are there to try your luck on, with jackpot totals reaching over half a million dollars.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Other areas of the state might not have as much luck viewing the eclipse.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Sandoval told him about the search warrant for the farm and advised Pierson to return to the U.S.
Pierson refused and tried his luck by making a similar offer to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Houston.
—Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Since posting his viral TikTok on March 22, he’s applied to over a hundred more jobs—north of 1,700 in total—and still has had no luck.
—Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
With any luck, in a decade, this mountain basin will be rewilded.
—Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Presenting him with an honorary doctorate, Kratz praised Jenney’s independence, individuality, steadfast commitment to his vision, and ability to create his own luck and success.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 7 Aug. 2023
With the necessary waiver signed, Thomas handed me a black cowboy hat and wished me luck.
—José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas News, 22 July 2023
SeaWorld San Antonio will luck out with 2 minutes 7 seconds of totality.
—Matthew Cappucci, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
Ordinarily, arancieri must register with a team weeks in advance and pay the roughly 120-euro fee, but someone from the Historic Carnival of Ivrea Foundation, which organizes the event, had simply gifted me an emasculatingly oversize Tuchini jersey and wished me luck.
—Jon Mooallem Andrea Frazzetta, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
Camping might not sound as appealing during the rainy months, but those who luck out with clear weather — or those who don’t mind the rain — can find plenty of space at the many Olympic National Park campgrounds that remain open year-round, including the Hoh, Mora and Ozette campgrounds.
—oregonlive, 2 Oct. 2021
The Cowboys may luck out here -- Mostert missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury and his status for Sunday is up in the air.
—John Owning, Dallas News, 18 Dec. 2020
But is luck a crucial factor in making someone successful?
—Liana Zavo, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Nobody could possibly expect to luck onto an alien broadcast that easily, unless there happened to be technologically advanced civilizations lurking around just about every star.
—Michael Lemonick, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2011
Noun
It’s revealed that Ansari plays a man who is down on his luck and struggling to make ends meet.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
However, the man had yet to realize his luck had doubled.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Games like Aztec’s Treasure and Fortunes of Olympus are there to try your luck on, with jackpot totals reaching over half a million dollars.
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024
Other areas of the state might not have as much luck viewing the eclipse.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Sandoval told him about the search warrant for the farm and advised Pierson to return to the U.S.
Pierson refused and tried his luck by making a similar offer to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Houston.
—Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Since posting his viral TikTok on March 22, he’s applied to over a hundred more jobs—north of 1,700 in total—and still has had no luck.
—Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
With any luck, in a decade, this mountain basin will be rewilded.
—Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Presenting him with an honorary doctorate, Kratz praised Jenney’s independence, individuality, steadfast commitment to his vision, and ability to create his own luck and success.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
When the event kicked off, the Prince posted a personal message on social media wishing both teams luck.
—Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 7 Aug. 2023
With the necessary waiver signed, Thomas handed me a black cowboy hat and wished me luck.
—José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas News, 22 July 2023
SeaWorld San Antonio will luck out with 2 minutes 7 seconds of totality.
—Matthew Cappucci, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2023
Ordinarily, arancieri must register with a team weeks in advance and pay the roughly 120-euro fee, but someone from the Historic Carnival of Ivrea Foundation, which organizes the event, had simply gifted me an emasculatingly oversize Tuchini jersey and wished me luck.
—Jon Mooallem Andrea Frazzetta, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
Camping might not sound as appealing during the rainy months, but those who luck out with clear weather — or those who don’t mind the rain — can find plenty of space at the many Olympic National Park campgrounds that remain open year-round, including the Hoh, Mora and Ozette campgrounds.
—oregonlive, 2 Oct. 2021
The Cowboys may luck out here -- Mostert missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury and his status for Sunday is up in the air.
—John Owning, Dallas News, 18 Dec. 2020
But is luck a crucial factor in making someone successful?
—Liana Zavo, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Nobody could possibly expect to luck onto an alien broadcast that easily, unless there happened to be technologically advanced civilizations lurking around just about every star.
—Michael Lemonick, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2011
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luck.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing luck
Articles Related to luck
Dictionary Entries Near luck
Cite this Entry
“Luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luck. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
luck
nounˈlək
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
adjective
-ləs
More from Merriam-Webster on luck
Nglish: Translation of luck for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of luck for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share