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
The first goal allowed in his NHL career was unlucky more than anything, as Anze Kopitar flung a puck toward the net and Penguins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon inadvertently redirected it past Murashov.
—
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
In the absence of whales, sucker fish avoid predators by seeking other large creatures to latch onto, including manta rays, dolphins and unlucky scuba divers.
—CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
At what point is charmed swallowed whole by unlucky?
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Many of them only got a few appearances under their belts, and five unlucky folks got just one.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
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Josh Yohe, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
In the absence of whales, sucker fish avoid predators by seeking other large creatures to latch onto, including manta rays, dolphins and unlucky scuba divers.
—CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
At what point is charmed swallowed whole by unlucky?
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Many of them only got a few appearances under their belts, and five unlucky folks got just one.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 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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