hapless
gb/hˈæpləs/ us/hˈæpləs/
C1
English
szerencsétlen, balszerencsés, ügyefogyott
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
hapless [someone]
The hapless cyclist was knocked off his bike by a sudden gust of wind.
A szerencsétlen kerékpárost egy hirtelen széllökés lesodorta a biciklijéről.
A series of delays turned them into hapless passengers stranded overnight at the airport.
A sorozatos késések miatt szerencsétlen utasokként egy éjszakára a repülőtéren rekedtek.
In the comedy, the hapless detective keeps accusing the wrong person.
Learner examples
He was a hapless man with many problems.
Szerencsétlen ember volt, sok problémával.
The hapless tourist lost her passport.
A szerencsétlen turista elvesztette az útlevelét.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse hapless with happy; hapless means unlucky, not pleased.
Meaning
unlucky; unfortunate
Collocations
hapless victim
|hapless traveler
|hapless tourist
|hapless driver
|hapless hero
|hapless bystander
|hapless family
|hapless crew
|hapless fate
|hapless situation
Synonyms
unlucky (More common and neutral than hapless.)
|
unfortunate (Often focuses on bad circumstances rather than repeated bad luck.)
|
ill-fated (Suggests a bad outcome was likely from the start.)
Antonyms
lucky (Having good luck rather than bad luck.)
|
fortunate (In favorable circumstances.)
Themes
emotions
|people
|life_events
Definition
very unlucky; having bad luck
Unlucky, unfortunate, or having bad luck, especially in a way that makes someone seem deserving of sympathy.
C1
FORMAL
2
ügyefogyott
C1
Usage pattern:
hapless [someone]
He gave a hapless explanation that only made the confusion worse.
Olyan szerencsétlen magyarázatot adott, hogy attól csak még nagyobb lett a zavar.
The hapless organizer forgot to book the room, so the meeting had to be canceled.
Az ügyefogyott szervező elfelejtette lefoglalni a termet, ezért a megbeszélést le kellett mondani.
Her hapless attempts to fix the printer ended with paper everywhere.
Learner examples
My hapless attempt failed.
A szerencsétlen próbálkozásom kudarcba fulladt.
He looked hapless in the new job.
Ügyefogyottnak tűnt az új munkájában.
Common mistake:
Hapless can suggest incompetence or helplessness, not only bad luck; choose context carefully.
Meaning
helpless; unable to cope
Collocations
hapless attempts
|hapless efforts
|a hapless response
|a hapless performance
|hapless management
|hapless assistant
|hapless intern
|hapless organizer
Synonyms
helpless (Emphasizes lack of ability to act or control events.)
|
ineffectual (Focuses on failure to produce results.)
|
inept (More directly critical about lack of skill.)
Antonyms
capable (Able to handle tasks effectively.)
|
competent (Having the necessary skill and ability.)
Themes
emotions
|people
|work
Definition
not able to do things well; helpless
Helpless or ineffectual in dealing with problems, often in a slightly humorous or critical way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hapless
IPA
GB/hˈæpləs/
US/hˈæpləs/
Syllables & stress
hap - less (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hap)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: hapless
Word family
Core family
haplessly
adverb
Related words
mishap
noun
Advanced or less common
haplessness
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.