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
On day four, one part of the men’s draw suffered a blood bath, Danielle Collins asked for the supervisor and a former finalist got unlucky for the second year in a row.
—
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Over half of them may still lurk in the ground, waiting for unlucky people or vehicles to set them off.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
While Sainz was initially unlucky with the timing of the VSC, a P8 finish from the Spaniard and a P5 finish from Albon is still a mega points haul for Williams to start off the European stint of the 2025 calendar.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The Harris 2024 campaign wasn’t just unlucky or hamstrung by the timing of events.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
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Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Over half of them may still lurk in the ground, waiting for unlucky people or vehicles to set them off.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
While Sainz was initially unlucky with the timing of the VSC, a P8 finish from the Spaniard and a P5 finish from Albon is still a mega points haul for Williams to start off the European stint of the 2025 calendar.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The Harris 2024 campaign wasn’t just unlucky or hamstrung by the timing of events.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 18 May 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 6 Jun. 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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