jinx

1 of 2

noun

ˈjiŋ(k)s 

: one that brings bad luck

also : the state or spell of bad luck brought on by a jinx

jinx

2 of 2

verb

jinxed; jinxing; jinxes

transitive verb

: to foredoom to failure or misfortune : bring bad luck to

Synonyms

Noun

• hex
• hoodoo
• Indian sign [chiefly British]
• whammy

Examples of jinx in a Sentence

Noun

That guy is a jinx.

He felt like he'd finally broken the jinx.

She threatened to put a jinx on him.

Verb

I thought they were going to win but I didn't say so because I didn't want to jinx them.

His luck has been so bad he feels jinxed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kodai Senga – Signed out of Japanese ball for five years and $75 million, this right-hander fell victim to the sophomore jinx, missing almost all of the 2024 campaign with various injuries. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

Illinois Secretary of State Charles Carpentier was honored for being elected to a third term — breaking the two-term jinx that previously prevailed for the post. —Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2024

Verb

Users at the time prophetically joked that Cruz had obviously jinxed the Rockets. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 1 Nov. 2024

Not to jinx myself, but the things that people expect a quick reply to are rarely urgent. —Kelly Washington, refinery29.com, 18 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps alteration of jynx wryneck; from the use of wrynecks in witchcraft

First Known Use

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

jinx

1 of 2 noun

ˈjiŋ(k)s 

: someone or something that brings bad luck

jinx

2 of 2 verb

: to bring bad luck to