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

Labeling someone as unlucky is never as simple as having a below-average BABIP, but several plays illustrate Butler’s early misfortune. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024

The cowboy, played by actor Madelyn Murphy, only had one health point left — the result of some unlucky dice rolls and a run-in with a group of dagger-wielding thieves in the first act. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 3 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unlucky

• unlucky in love

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