unlucky
adjective
un·lucky
ˌən-ˈlə-kē 
1
: marked by adversity or failure
an unlucky year
2
: likely to bring misfortune : inauspicious
an unlucky number
3
: having or meeting with misfortune
unlucky people
4
: producing dissatisfaction : regrettable
Synonyms
Examples of unlucky in a Sentence
She was unlucky enough to get a flat tire on the way to her job interview.
Some people think that 13 is an unlucky number.
He thinks it's unlucky to have a black cat cross your path.
Recent Examples on the Web
Far too often over the previous three seasons, unfortunate and often unlucky things happened when Jackson threw the ball in Bateman’s direction.
—
Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
His 2022 departure for Sacramento to become Brown’s associate head coach turned out to be unlucky timing.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2025
In this case, a little owl was the unlucky target of the roller’s ire.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
As reported by Variety on Tuesday, January 7, Disney+ is giving the iconic Holes a modern twist, swapping its unlucky hero Stanley Yelnats for a teenage girl in a fresh reimagining of Louis Sachar's beloved book.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlucky 
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Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
His 2022 departure for Sacramento to become Brown’s associate head coach turned out to be unlucky timing.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2025
In this case, a little owl was the unlucky target of the roller’s ire.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
As reported by Variety on Tuesday, January 7, Disney+ is giving the iconic Holes a modern twist, swapping its unlucky hero Stanley Yelnats for a teenage girl in a fresh reimagining of Louis Sachar's beloved book.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unlucky
Dictionary Entries Near unlucky
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unlucky
adjective
un·lucky
ˌən-ˈlək-ē
ˈən-
1
: marked by bad luck or failure
an unlucky day
2
: likely to bring misfortune
an unlucky number
3
: having or meeting with misfortune
unlucky people
4
: causing distress or regret
unluckily
adverb
-ˈlək-ə-lē
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