jinx
[ jingks ]
/ dʒɪŋks /
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noun
a person, thing, or influence supposed to bring bad luck.
verb (used with object)
to bring bad luck to; place a jinx on: The strike has jinxed my plans to go to Milwaukee for the weekend.
to destroy the point of: His sudden laugh jinxed the host's joke.
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THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?
Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
Origin of jinx
1910–15, Americanism; perhaps <Latin jynx wryneck (bird used in divination and magic) <Greek íynx
OTHER WORDS FROM jinx
outjinx, verb (used with object)Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for jinx
British Dictionary definitions for jinx
jinx
/ (dʒɪŋks) /
noun
an unlucky or malevolent force, person, or thing
verb
(tr) to be or put a jinx on
Word Origin for jinx
C20: perhaps from New Latin Jynx genus name of the wryneck, from Greek iunx wryneck, the name of a bird used in magic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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