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 details police have released thus far describe a series of unlucky coincidences for Mullins, who appeared to have been caught off-guard and specifically targeted by his killer.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Teal'c takes out some frustrations on an unlucky grunt who bangs him with a door at the start of every time loop, and O'Neill gets to (temporarily) sample the will-they side of his will-they-won't-they relationship with Carter.
—Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The 6-foot-7 forward hadn’t played more than 66 games in a season during his first three years in the NBA, often beset by nagging or unlucky injuries.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Here in the present, the Lakers realize their promising season has probably been sabotaged by unlucky injuries.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
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Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Teal'c takes out some frustrations on an unlucky grunt who bangs him with a door at the start of every time loop, and O'Neill gets to (temporarily) sample the will-they side of his will-they-won't-they relationship with Carter.
—Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The 6-foot-7 forward hadn’t played more than 66 games in a season during his first three years in the NBA, often beset by nagging or unlucky injuries.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Here in the present, the Lakers realize their promising season has probably been sabotaged by unlucky injuries.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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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