luck

¹

[ luhk ]

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.

verb phrase

1. to meet, acquire, become, etc., by good luck:

   She lucked into a great job.

2. to have an instance or run of exceptionally good luck:

   He lucked out when he made a hole in one during the tournament.

3. to come across by chance:

   to luck upon a profitable investment.

Łuck

²

[ lootsk; Polish wootsk ]

noun

1. Polish name of Lutsk.

luck

/ 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. down on one's luck
   having little or no good luck to the point of suffering hardships
5. no such luck informal.
   unfortunately not
6. try one's luck
   to attempt something that is uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of luck¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of luck¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

2. in luck, lucky; fortunate:

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

3. luck of the draw, the luck one has in or as if in drawing cards.
4. out of luck, unlucky; unfortunate:

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

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

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)