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

• 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

In truth Flamengo was unlucky to meet an elite side like Bayern at this point, especially after beating Chelsea to top of the group, but that proved the luck of the draw. —Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Juan Fuentes Signed: Free agent, February 2018 Left: Free agent, July 2018 Has there been a more unlucky player to have signed for Forest? —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 20 June 2025

Then the diamond from the ring was lost — and later amazingly found — on Friday the 13th, considered by those superstitious to be an unlucky day. —Erin Clack, People.com, 18 June 2025

That included one of the most unlucky moments in recent memory. —Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 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