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

unluckiness

ˌən-ˈlə-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• hapless
• hard-luck
• ill-fated
• ill-starred
• jinxed
• luckless
• snakebit
• snakebitten
• star-crossed
• unfortunate
• unhappy

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

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

One more thing: Many casino patrons subscribe to a long-standing superstition that $50 bills are unlucky. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

All the evidence points to various blunders, assumptions, policies, choices and unlucky circumstances that led to the tragedy. —The Know, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unlucky

• unlucky in love

Rhymes for unlucky

• bucky
• lucky
• mucky
• plucky

Kids 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

-ˈlək-ə-lē

adverb

unluckiness

-ˈlək-ē-nəs 

noun