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
made an unlucky choice
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
From fire irons to swords, guns to clothes airers, Nesbø — who wrote the screenplay himself — finds a myriad ways to dispatch his unlucky victims, a significant number of whom also lose limbs before bleeding out.
—
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
Applicants who are unlucky in the caseworker they are assigned are less likely to provide all the relevant information, leading to a denial.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Its powers also appear to act on a few lucky (or unlucky, depending on your point of view) individuals.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Those unlucky enough to not have a real fan, like all the publicists on the carpet, were using their folders and papers to fan themselves instead—but nothing seemed to really break the heat.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
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K.j. Yossman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
Applicants who are unlucky in the caseworker they are assigned are less likely to provide all the relevant information, leading to a denial.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Its powers also appear to act on a few lucky (or unlucky, depending on your point of view) individuals.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Those unlucky enough to not have a real fan, like all the publicists on the carpet, were using their folders and papers to fan themselves instead—but nothing seemed to really break the heat.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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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