lucky
gb/lˈʌki/ us/lˈʌki/
A2
English
~ 2200
szerencsés, szerencsehozó
A2
1
szerencsés
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is lucky (to + verb/that ...)
She was lucky to catch the last bus.
Szerencséje volt, hogy elérte az utolsó buszt.
I'm so lucky to have such supportive friends.
Nagyon szerencsés vagyok, hogy ilyen támogató barátaim vannak.
They were lucky that the weather stayed sunny for the wedding.
He felt lucky when he found a $20 bill on the street.
Learner examples
I am lucky to live near the sea.
Szerencsés vagyok, hogy a tenger közelében lakhatok.
She is lucky to have a kind teacher.
Szerencsés, hogy kedves tanára van.
We are lucky it is not raining today.
He is lucky to have many friends.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lucky' with 'happy'. 'Lucky' means something good happened by chance, while 'happy' means feeling good emotionally.
Meaning
having good fortune
Collocations
lucky break
|lucky day
|lucky number
|lucky charm
|feel lucky
Synonyms
fortunate (More formal and often used in serious contexts.)
Antonyms
unlucky (Describes having bad outcomes due to chance.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having something good happen because of chance, not because you made it happen.
Having good things happen to you by chance, not because of planning or effort.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is lucky for [someone]
This coin is my lucky charm.
Ez az érme a szerencsehozó kabalám.
Wearing her lucky socks, she scored the winning goal.
A szerencsehozó zoknijában szerezte meg a győztes gólt.
Friday the 13th is not considered a lucky day by many.
Learner examples
This is my lucky pen.
Ez a szerencsehozó tollam.
I have a lucky hat.
Van egy szerencsehozó sapkám.
The number seven is lucky for me.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'lucky' meaning 'having good fortune' with 'lucky' meaning 'bringing good fortune'. The difference is between the receiver and the source of luck.
Meaning
bringing good fortune
Collocations
lucky charm
|lucky penny
|lucky shirt
Synonyms
auspicious (More formal and used in ceremonial or planned contexts.)
Antonyms
unlucky (Believed to bring bad outcomes.)
Themes
daily life
|beliefs
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Thought to make good things happen by chance.
Believed to cause good things to happen by chance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lucky
IPA
GB/lˈʌki/
US/lˈʌki/
Syllables & stress
lucky (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lucky)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: lucky
- Comparative: luckier
- Superlative: luckiest
Word family
Expressions
lucky break
1/lˈʌki bɹˈeɪk/
idiom
informal
unexpected chance for success
A sudden good chance that helps you succeed.
Examples
- Getting that job offer was a real lucky break for her.
- He got his lucky break when the director noticed his performance.
strike it lucky
1/stɹˈaɪk ˈɪt lˈʌki/
idiom
informal
achieve success by chance
To become successful or find something good by chance.
Examples
- We struck it lucky with the weather on our trip.
- He struck it lucky and found a rare coin in the sand.
third time lucky
1/θˈɚd tˈaɪm lˈʌki/
fixed phrase
informal
success on third attempt
When you fail two times, but believe the third time will succeed.
Examples
- I failed twice, but maybe it will be third time lucky.
- They hope it's third time lucky for their team in the finals.
lucky charm
1/lˈʌki t͡ʃˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
object believed to bring luck
An object that people think brings them good luck.
Examples
- She always wears her necklace as a lucky charm.
- She always wears her lucky charm during exams.
- This old coin is my lucky charm.
- He kissed his lucky charm before walking onto the field.
- My grandmother gave me this coin as a lucky charm.
push your luck
1/pˈʊʃ jˈʊɹ lˈʌk/
idiom
informal
risk losing by seeking more gain
To try for more success after being lucky, which may cause you to lose what you have.
Examples
- You won twice—don’t push your luck.
- She decided not to push her luck and left while she was ahead.
push your luck
2/pˈʊʃ jˈʊɹ lˈʌk/
idiom
informal
Risk losing gained advantage
To try something risky after you have already been lucky, which may cause you to lose what you gained.
Examples
- You've won twice—don't push your luck!
- I think you're pushing your luck asking for another day off.