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

unluckiness

ˌən-ˈlə-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of unlucky

• unfortunate
• unhappy
• luckless

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

Vitor Pereira was unlucky after doing a fine job of keeping Forest up. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Everyone wants their relationship to succeed — even those who may have been unlucky in that department might still harbor hope that things could change. — Sabrina Romanoff, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

During a medieval siege, a trebuchet scored a chance hit on an unlucky defender. — ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

Unless, of course, this is Betts, now at 33, in his — unlucky? — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

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