luck

1 of 2

noun

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
also : success
had great luck growing orchids
luckless adjective

luck

2 of 2

verb

lucked; lucking; lucks

intransitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The massive success can be seen in real time, as the electronic signup sheet typically fills up and spills over onto a waitlist within minutes of it being emailed out—we’ve tried each month to snag a spot with no luck, just to test this theory. Sophie Liza Cannon, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 And if this isn’t an isolated incident, then this presents a huge problem for the remnants of humanity, most of whom have survived through a mixture of luck and simply being able to outthink these single-minded creatures. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
Despite evidence of success, people experiencing imposter syndrome often attribute their achievements to luck or timing rather than their own abilities. Maha Abouelenein, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 But everyone from Bill Gates to Warren Buffett sites luck as a key ingredient in their success. Jj Rosen, The Tennessean, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for luck

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lucke, from Middle Dutch luc; akin to Middle High German gelücke luck

Verb

derivative of luck entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of luck was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luck. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

luck

noun
ˈlək
1
: whatever happens to a person apparently by chance
have good luck fishing
2
: the accidental way events occur
happening by pure luck
3
: good fortune : success
have luck
be out of luck
luckless
-ləs
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on luck

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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