unlucky
adjective
un·lucky
ˌən-ˈlə-kē 
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
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
But the scope and breadth of the subpoenas — which demand everything from text messages to bank statements to phone records — has a lot of folks scratching their heads, especially those unlucky enough to have been served one.
—
Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Cultural influences can play a role, too, and some numbers are considered lucky or unlucky in different traditions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Austin Shepard, an OG who left the villa alongside a collection of unlucky Casa Amor occupants, agrees.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
A week later, apart from during a bright opening quarter of an hour when Cunha was unlucky not to open the scoring, Amorim’s side were otherwise blunted by Fulham.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
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Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
Cultural influences can play a role, too, and some numbers are considered lucky or unlucky in different traditions.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Austin Shepard, an OG who left the villa alongside a collection of unlucky Casa Amor occupants, agrees.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
A week later, apart from during a bright opening quarter of an hour when Cunha was unlucky not to open the scoring, Amorim’s side were otherwise blunted by Fulham.
—Mark Critchley, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlucky
adjective
un·lucky
ˌən-ˈlək-ē
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
adverb
-ˈlək-ə-lē
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