noun Uncommon

jinx

jihngks

Jinx (noun) means a curse or spell believed to bring bad luck. Example: “Some sailors believe whistling on deck brings a jinx.”

noun

A curse or spell believed to bring bad luck.

"Some sailors believe whistling on deck brings a jinx."

"The old house had a reputation as a jinx on anyone who bought it."

A person or thing thought to cause misfortune wherever it goes.

"The team started calling their new stadium a jinx after five straight losses there."

verb

To bring bad luck to someone or something, often by saying something prematurely.

"Don't say the game is won yet — you'll jinx it!"

"She refused to talk about her interview beforehand in case she jinxed it."

How to use jinx

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo curse something with bad luck, usually by talking about good luck too soon.

Memory tip

It's often shouted as "Jinx!" when two people say the same word at the same time — a playful superstition rather than a real curse.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

jinx it a jinx on the team break the jinx

Word forms

jinxed past tense, jinxes plural, jinxes singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Some sailors believe whistling on deck brings a _____.

Etymology

Traced back to jynx, an old word for a charm or spell, itself from the wryneck bird once used in folk magic.

Synonyms

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curse witch jonah glamour hex whammy enchant bewitch

Related words

swear spell bless blessing curse witch wizard oath

Rhymes for jinx

minx sphinx

See all rhymes for jinx →

Frequently asked questions

What does “jinx” mean?

The word “jinx” means a curse or spell believed to bring bad luck. In plain terms, to curse something with bad luck, usually by talking about good luck too soon.

How do you pronounce “jinx”?

“Jinx” is pronounced jihngks (/d͡ʒɪŋks/ in IPA).

How do you use “jinx” in a sentence?

Here is “jinx” used in a sentence: “Some sailors believe whistling on deck brings a jinx.”

What part of speech is “jinx”?

Depending on how it is used, “jinx” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “jinx” a common word?

“Jinx” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “jinx” have?

“Jinx” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a curse or spell believed to bring bad luck.

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Vocabulary lists that include jinx:

Words that start with J Words that end with X

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