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
Synonyms
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
What ensues is part wannabe Western, part cartoonish punch-fest, as Dalton hits, kicks, and pummels any sleazy baddies who are unlucky enough to cross his path.
—
Devan Coggan, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
At least since René Descartes declared dogs to be no more feeling than machines, and doubled down on his thesis by nailing and burning some of the unlucky automatons alive, people objecting to the misuse of animals have mostly inhabited the losing side.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 28 Mar. 2024
Your odds are a lot higher for many other unlucky things as well.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024
Everyone should be wearing blue, not green Blue was actually the color that was most associated with Patrick and green was considered unlucky.
—Diane J. Cho, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Leap years are also considered generally unlucky in Italy and Scotland.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 29 Feb. 2024
Instead, the Bayern bench boss simply believed his side was somewhat unlucky not to win the game.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Some unlucky drivers were stuck on the side of Interstate 64 while a steady rain poured on the Louisville metro area Wednesday morning.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 24 Jan. 2024
An unlucky 19-year-old bystander was at a car wash a quarter-mile from the scene when a piece of debris hit him in the head, officials said.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024
Devan Coggan, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024
At least since René Descartes declared dogs to be no more feeling than machines, and doubled down on his thesis by nailing and burning some of the unlucky automatons alive, people objecting to the misuse of animals have mostly inhabited the losing side.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 28 Mar. 2024
Your odds are a lot higher for many other unlucky things as well.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024
Everyone should be wearing blue, not green Blue was actually the color that was most associated with Patrick and green was considered unlucky.
—Diane J. Cho, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024
Leap years are also considered generally unlucky in Italy and Scotland.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 29 Feb. 2024
Instead, the Bayern bench boss simply believed his side was somewhat unlucky not to win the game.
—Manuel Veth, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Some unlucky drivers were stuck on the side of Interstate 64 while a steady rain poured on the Louisville metro area Wednesday morning.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 24 Jan. 2024
An unlucky 19-year-old bystander was at a car wash a quarter-mile from the scene when a piece of debris hit him in the head, officials said.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unlucky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unlucky
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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