1
a
: a force that brings good fortune or adversity
Luck was a big factor in the outcome.
b
: the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual
The loser muttered something about bad luck.
2
: favoring chance
lucked; lucking; lucks
1
: to prosper or succeed especially through chance or good fortune
—usually used with out
the hero lucks out and is able to escape
2
: to come upon something desirable by chance
—usually used with out, on, onto, or into
lucked into a wonderful opportunity
Examples of luck in a Sentence
Noun
We had good luck fishing.
He's been having nothing but bad luck.
He succeeded through hard work and a little luck.
We need a bit of luck.
By a stroke of luck, there were still a few tickets left when we arrived.
“I've been looking for a new apartment.” “Any luck?” “No, not yet.”
I've had no luck in finding a new apartment.
He had no better luck than I did.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brett Koremenos, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Two Georgia lottery players tried their luck — and walked away with life-changing wins.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
Jj Rosen, The Tennessean, 10 Feb. 2025
By Emily Tannenbaum More people than not had words of encouragement or solidarity, and even those who didn’t have time to stop and speak with me told me to stay safe or keep well and wished me luck.
—Kate Lavelle, Glamour, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luck
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
However, their luck ran out in the following two games, where the Reds lost twice in a row to PSG in the last-16 second-leg and then Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final – the latter held them without a shot for an entire half.
—Brett Koremenos, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Two Georgia lottery players tried their luck — and walked away with life-changing wins.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
But everyone from Bill Gates to Warren Buffett sites luck as a key ingredient in their success.
—Jj Rosen, The Tennessean, 10 Feb. 2025
By Emily Tannenbaum More people than not had words of encouragement or solidarity, and even those who didn’t have time to stop and speak with me told me to stay safe or keep well and wished me luck.
—Kate Lavelle, Glamour, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for luck
Cite this Entry
“Luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luck. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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