unlucky
Americanadjective
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(of a person) not lucky; lacking good fortune; ill-fated.
-
(of an event or circumstance) inauspicious or characterized by misfortune; ominous.
adjective
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characterized by misfortune or failure
an unlucky person
an unlucky chance
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ill-omened; inauspicious
an unlucky date
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regrettable; disappointing
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dialect causing trouble; mischievous
Other Word Forms
- unluckily adverb
- unluckiness noun
Etymology
Origin of unlucky
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
He was inches from making birdie in the shootout, unlucky that his ball did not tumble down the slope to the hole-side in the same way as McIlroy's approach managed to do.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
The meal ended quickly, and the remains of the unlucky rodent were left scattered across the cave floor.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
Founders and lead executives Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss picked an unlucky time for an initial public offering.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
They learned that this son would be dreadfully unlucky.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
