unlucky
having bad luck or misfortune
Having bad luck, especially when things often go wrong for you or you do not get what you want.
[someone] is unlucky (in/with [something])
- He’s always been unlucky in love, even though he’s kind and funny.
- The team was unlucky again and lost in the final minute.
- Some people feel they are unlucky no matter how hard they try.
- We were unlucky with the weather and it rained all weekend.
- She considered herself unlucky compared to her more successful siblings.
- I was unlucky and missed the last bus home.
- Their team is unlucky and often loses by one goal.
- My brother is unlucky in love and is still single.
- We were unlucky with our hotel; it was very noisy.
- She feels unlucky because she cannot find a job.
caused by bad luck or mischance
Describes an event or situation that is bad or sad and seems to happen because of chance, not because someone did something wrong.
an unlucky [event/situation/moment]
- It was an unlucky accident that could have happened to anyone.
- They chose an unlucky time to travel and got stuck in a storm.
- The company had an unlucky start to the year, with several projects failing.
- In an unlucky turn of events, his car broke down on the way to the interview.
- Her comment was unlucky and offended several people in the meeting.
- It was an unlucky day for us because many things went wrong.
- They had an unlucky start and were late for the exam.
- Because of an unlucky mistake, he sent the email to the wrong person.
- We picked an unlucky time to go shopping; the store was closed.
- The team lost after an unlucky goal in the last minute.
thought to bring bad luck
Describes a number, day, thing, or action that people believe brings bad luck.
an unlucky [number/day/object]
- In many countries, thirteen is considered an unlucky number.
- Some actors think it is unlucky to say certain words before a performance.
- They refused to move in on Friday the 13th because they felt it was an unlucky day.
- He always avoids wearing that color because his grandmother says it’s unlucky.
- Breaking a mirror is traditionally said to be unlucky.
- My friend thinks 13 is an unlucky number.
- Some people say it is unlucky to open an umbrella inside.
- She will not travel on that date because it is unlucky for her.
- They believe black cats are unlucky in their culture.
- In his family, it is unlucky to walk under a ladder.
an unlucky number
1number believed to bring bad luck
A number that people in some cultures think brings bad luck.
- Many people think 13 is an unlucky number.
- In some places, 4 is an unlucky number and buildings avoid using it for floors.
be unlucky enough to
1have the bad luck to do something
Used to say that something bad happened to someone because of bad luck.
- I was unlucky enough to catch the flu right before my exams.
- She was unlucky enough to be on the train that broke down.
if you are unlucky
1used to introduce a possible bad outcome
Used to talk about a bad thing that might happen to someone by chance.
- You might have to wait an hour if you are unlucky.
- If you are unlucky, the flight could be delayed again.
unlucky in love
1having repeated bad luck in romance
To often have problems or no success in romantic relationships, in a way that seems caused by bad luck.
- She jokes that she’s always been unlucky in love.
- After so many breakups, he felt truly unlucky in love.