luck

[luhk]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR luck ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities: With my luck I'll probably get pneumonia.

good fortune; advantage or success, considered as the result of chance: He had no luck finding work.

a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person: She's had nothing but bad luck all year.

some object on which good fortune is supposed to depend: This rabbit's foot is my luck.

Verb Phrases Informal.

luck into/onto, to meet, acquire, become, etc., by good luck: She lucked into a great job.

luck out, to have an instance or run of exceptionally good luck: He lucked out when he made a hole in one during the tournament.

luck upon, to come across by chance: to luck upon a profitable investment.

Nearby words

Idioms

down on one's luck, in unfortunate circumstances; unlucky: She hated to see her old friend so down on her luck.

in luck, lucky; fortunate: We were in luck, for the bakery was still open.

luck of the draw, the luck one has in or as if in drawing cards.

out of luck, unlucky; unfortunate: When it comes to getting World Series tickets, we're usually out of luck.

push one's luck, Informal. to try to make too much of an opportunity; go too far.Also crowd one's luck.

Origin of luck

1400–50; late Middle English luk < Middle Dutch luc, aphetic form of gelucke; cognate with G. Glück

Łuck

[lootsk; Polish wootsk]

noun

Polish name of Lutsk.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for luck

The story follows a down on his luck family man named Bill Scanlon (Wes Bentley), who takes to stealing after losing his job.
After The Fall: Introducing The Anti-Villain|Rich Goldstein|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rick suggests a Woodbury-esque sneak attack on the hospital and lays out a meticulous strategy relying heavily on timing and luck.
The Walking Dead’s ‘Crossed’: The Stage Is Now Set for a Bloody, Deadly Midseason Finale|Melissa Leon|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Danish Air Force, as luck would have it, had just the aircraft.
The American Ebola Rescue Plan Hinges on One Company. Meet Phoenix.|Abby Haglage|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As luck would have it, right in front of me were lawyers from the same firm representing the plaintiffs.
RFRA Madness: What’s Next for Anti-Democratic ‘Religious Exemptions’|Jay Michaelson|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

"We knew the chances and we knew that the statistics and luck were not necessarily in our favor," she said.
How to Run a Statewide Campaign on $38|Michael Ames|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's all luck about Nanny's eyes; and maybe you are only throwing away a chance you'll never have again.'
Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag|Louisa M. Alcott
We really ought to be dancing—but I'll try my luck once more on No. 4.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 103, November 12, 1892|Various
"I bet I will," said the venturesome one; and he set off to try his luck.
Memoirs of an American Prima Donna|Clara Louise Kellogg
"Bit of luck I call this, sir," he added, as with the assistance of Simon Quarle he got it onto his shoulders.
The Cruise of the Make-Believes|Tom Gallon
Greif's luck had saved him, and what was life to him was death to Rex.
Greifenstein|F. Marion Crawford

British Dictionary definitions for luck

luck

noun

events that are beyond control and seem subject to chance; fortune

success or good fortune

something considered to bring good luck

down on one's luck having little or no good luck to the point of suffering hardships

no such luck informal unfortunately not

try one's luck to attempt something that is uncertain

Word Origin for luck

C15: from Middle Dutch luc; related to Middle High German gelücke, late Old Norse lukka, lykka

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for luck

luck

late 15c. from early Middle Dutch luc, shortening of gheluc "happiness, good fortune," of unknown origin. It has cognates in Dutch geluk, Middle High German g(e)lücke, German Glück "fortune, good luck." Perhaps first borrowed in English as a gambling term. To be down on (one's) luck is from 1832; to be in luck is from 1900; to push (one's) luck is from 1911. Good luck as a salutation to one setting off to do something is from 1805. Expression better luck next time attested from 1802.

A gentleman was lately walking through St Giles's, where a levelling citizen attempting to pick his pocket of a handkerchief, which the gentleman caught in time, and secured, observing to the fellow, that he had missed his aim, the latter, with perfect sang-froid, answered, "better luck next time master." ["Monthly Mirror," London, 1802]

luck

by 1945, from luck (n.). To luck out "succeed through luck" is American English colloquial, attested by 1946; to luck into (something good) is from 1944. However, lukken was a verb in Middle English (mid-15c.) meaning "to happen, chance;" also, "happen fortunately."

Idioms and Phrases with luck

luck

In addition to the idioms beginning with luck

luck into
luck of the devil
luck of the draw
luck out

also see:

as luck would have it
beginner's luck
down on one's luck
good luck
hard luck
in luck
out of luck
push one's luck
run of luck
take pot luck
tough break (luck)
try one's hand (luck)

luck

noun

Verb Phrases Informal.

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Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of luck

Łuck

noun

Examples from the Web for luck

luck

noun

Word Origin for luck

luck

luck

luck