Unlucky
/ʌnˈlʌki/
Definitions
Experiencing or resulting from bad luck.
/ʌnˈlʌki/
Not favored by luck; experiencing bad luck.
She felt unlucky when she missed the bus.
💡 Simply: Imagine you were going to the park, and it started raining, and you forgot your umbrella. That's being unlucky! It means things aren't going your way.
👶 For kids: When things don't go the way you want them to, like when you drop your ice cream, you're unlucky!
More Examples
It was unlucky that the flight was delayed due to bad weather.
The unlucky gambler lost all his money.
How It's Used
"He was unlucky enough to be caught in the downpour."
"The team was unlucky to lose the game at the last minute."
Idioms & expressions
unlucky number
A number believed to bring bad luck.
"The number 13 is often considered an unlucky number."
unlucky streak
A period of continuous bad luck or misfortune.
"The team is on an unlucky streak, losing every game this season."
From Old English *unlyċċe*, equivalent to un- + lucky. The prefix 'un-' indicates negation.
The word 'unlucky' has been used since the 14th century to describe someone experiencing bad luck. Early usage reflects the strong association with the concept of fortune.
Memory tip
Think of the opposite of 'lucky'. If someone is having a bad day, they're unlucky.
Word Origin
"Not fortunate or blessed"