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
This phenomenon also coincides with Friday the 13th, typically considered an unlucky day in many Western cultures.
—
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
The thinking goes: Some unlucky soul could simultaneously be infected with seasonal influenza and bird flu.
—Will Stone, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024
Sure, unlucky bounces have probably cost the veteran wing a few assists, but New York has been outshot, out-chanced and outscored with Kreider playing at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, Yellowjackets uses dual timelines to tell the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players (the Yellowjackets) who become the unlucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unlucky 
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.
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 6 Dec. 2024
The thinking goes: Some unlucky soul could simultaneously be infected with seasonal influenza and bird flu.
—Will Stone, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024
Sure, unlucky bounces have probably cost the veteran wing a few assists, but New York has been outshot, out-chanced and outscored with Kreider playing at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, Yellowjackets uses dual timelines to tell the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players (the Yellowjackets) who become the unlucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
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 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share