Luck
/lʌk/
Definitions
Chance or fortune, especially good fortune.
/lʌk/
Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.
He had a run of bad luck and lost everything.
💡 Simply: Luck is when things go your way by chance. Like, you find a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk – that's luck! Or when you guess the right answer on a test without studying – that's luck too!
👶 For kids: Luck is when something good happens to you, like winning a game or finding a toy, even if you didn't plan it.
More Examples
I hope you have good luck on your trip.
It was just a matter of luck that he survived the accident.
How It's Used
"She had good luck on her exams."
"He was hoping for a bit of luck at the casino."
"The team needed some luck to win the game."
Idioms & expressions
Good luck!
A phrase used to wish someone success.
"Good luck with your presentation!"
Out of luck
To be unsuccessful or unable to obtain something you want.
"If you don't have a ticket, you're out of luck."
No such luck
Unfortunately, that is not going to happen, or has not happened.
"I was hoping to get the day off, but no such luck."
Pushing your luck
To take a risk or do something that could lead to trouble.
"You're pushing your luck if you think you can get away with cheating on the exam."
From Middle Dutch *luc* or *gelucke*, akin to Old High German *gilucki* (happiness, success). It shares roots with words related to chance and fortune.
The word 'luck' has been used since Old English, initially referring to chance or the outcome of events. Its usage has remained largely consistent throughout history.