unlucky

adjective

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un·lucky | \ ˌən-ˈlə-kē

Definition of unlucky

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

Other Words from unlucky Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing unlucky Learn More About unlucky

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 So to note that his BABIP in his last three starts (April 26, May 2, and May 8) was .000, .222, .091 shows a correction, a regression to the mean, unsustainably lucky as the counter-balance to being unsustainably unlucky. — James Yasko, Chron, 13 May 2022 From a macro perspective, that suggests that the team has the talent to compete with most squads and may have just been unlucky. — Tony East, Forbes, 30 Apr. 2022 According to a release from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the animal rescue center's shelter at Brands Hatch in Kent, England, is caring for a dog who has been unlucky in love. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 14 Feb. 2022 Gooey sap has oozed here and there, collecting small flies and other unlucky invertebrates before hardening into resin. — Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2022 But some unlucky people's worst fears are realized -- and sometimes, that means losing precious items of huge sentimental value. — Julia Buckley, CNN, 22 Apr. 2022 If the numbers of senior commanders killed proves accurate, the Russian generals have been either extremely unlucky or successfully targeted -- or both. — William Booth, Robyn Dixon And David L. Stern, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Mar. 2022 The boa uses its muscles to move its prey down the length of its body to the stomach, where the unlucky varmint is digested over the next four to six days. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 24 Mar. 2022 The other unlucky guests are played by Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Scott Mescudi, and Brittany Snow, each of whom gets to have fun with characters who are vague without being mere cannon fodder. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unlucky.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near unlucky

unluckily

unlucky

unlucky in love

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Last Updated

24 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for unlucky

unlucky

adjective

un·lucky | \ ˌən-ˈlə-kē

unluckier; unluckiest

Kids Definition of unlucky

1 : not fortunate : having bad luck He's been unlucky in love.

2 : marked by bad luck or failure an unlucky day

3 : likely to bring misfortune Are black cats really unlucky?

4 : causing distress or regret … she couldn't ignore the throbbing soreness in her thumb where the thorn had left its unlucky mark.— Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising