luck

¹ American  

[luhk] / lʌk /

noun

1. 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.

2. good fortune; advantage or success, considered as the result of chance.

   He had no luck finding work.

3. 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.

4. some object on which good fortune is supposed to depend.

   This rabbit's foot is my luck.

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verb phrase

1. 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.

2. luck into / onto to meet, acquire, become, etc., by good luck.

   She lucked into a great job.

3. luck upon to come across by chance.

   to luck upon a profitable investment.

idioms

1. in luck, lucky; fortunate.

   We were in luck, for the bakery was still open.

2. out of luck, unlucky; unfortunate.

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

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

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

5. down on one's luck, in unfortunate circumstances; unlucky.

   She hated to see her old friend so down on her luck.

Łuck ² American  

[lootsk, wootsk] / lutsk, wutsk /

noun

1. Polish name of Lutsk.

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luck British  

/ lʌk /

noun

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

2. success or good fortune

3. something considered to bring good luck

4. having little or no good luck to the point of suffering hardships

5. informal unfortunately not

6. to attempt something that is uncertain

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luck More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing luck

• 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)

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Etymology

Origin of luck

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English luk, from Middle Dutch luc, shortened from gelucke; cognate with German Glück

Example Sentences

Tradition calls for spending the day outdoors to ward off bad luck.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

While the car had pace, I don't think the win was there without the luck of the safety car.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Still possible: Try your luck in early April’s last-minute ticket sales phase on FIFA’s website.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

If you walk out of the station at the other end, or if you just start heading in the direction of Dodger Stadium, good luck finding the map.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

How kind of Chizuko to bring a good luck charm!

From "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr