jinx

American  

[jingks] / dʒɪŋks /

verb (used with object)

1. to bring bad luck to; curse.

   According to tradition, wishing an actor “good luck” before a show will jinx their performance.

   That place on the corner seems jinxed—no business ever stays there for long.

2. to destroy the point of.

   His sudden laugh jinxed the host's joke.

---

noun

1. a person, thing, or influence supposed to bring bad luck.

   They said I was a jinx, because every time I came to see them play, they lost.

interjection

1. (used after two people say exactly the same thing at exactly the same time).

   I’ll drive—jinx! Great minds think alike!

jinx British  

/ dʒɪŋks /

noun

1. an unlucky or malevolent force, person, or thing

---

verb

1. (tr) to be or put a jinx on

Other Word Forms

• outjinx verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of jinx

An Americanism first recorded in 1910–15; perhaps from Latin jynx “wryneck” (bird used in divination and magic), from Greek íynx, perhaps from or akin to iýzein “to shout, yell”

Example Sentences

The economy may have stuck the soft landing, but nobody wants to jinx it.

From The Wall Street Journal

He not only jinxed them once but twice.

From Los Angeles Times

Asked if he was playing as well as he ever has, he replied: "I don't want to jinx it so I will keep my mouth shut on that question."

From Barron's

Rose Parade officials — though they would rather not jinx it — say they are prepared for a soaking.

From Los Angeles Times

Once again, Bill Plaschke has literally jinxed another Southern California sports team with his proclamation questions regarding the Rams:

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hex