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
made an unlucky choice
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
The unlucky half is not random.
—
Matt Rosenbaum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
The club has not merely been unlucky.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
The unlucky Chadi Riad — who suffered an MCL injury in just his third appearance with the club and then an ACL injury in January last year — started in place of the USMNT’s Chris Richards, whose ankle injury had not sufficiently healed.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 27 May 2026
That answer may come via trade after the unlucky draft lottery.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
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Matt Rosenbaum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
The club has not merely been unlucky.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
The unlucky Chadi Riad — who suffered an MCL injury in just his third appearance with the club and then an ACL injury in January last year — started in place of the USMNT’s Chris Richards, whose ankle injury had not sufficiently healed.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 27 May 2026
That answer may come via trade after the unlucky draft lottery.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unlucky. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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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