noun
Uncommon
Jonah
JOH-nuh
Jonah (noun) means someone or something believed to bring bad luck, especially aboard a ship. Example: “The sailors began to think the new crewman was a jonah.”
noun
1
Someone or something believed to bring bad luck, especially aboard a ship.
"Superstitious sailors regarded a clergyman as an unlucky shipmate, a Jonah whose presence would never be welcome."
— Richard Blake, Evangelicals in the Royal Navy (2008)
"The sailors began to think the new crewman was a jonah."
How to use Jonah
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person or thing blamed for bad luck, similar to a "jinx."
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Word forms
- Plural
- Jonahs
Fill the gap
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The sailors began to think the new crewman was a _____.
Etymology
From the biblical prophet Jonah, who according to the story was thrown overboard to end a storm believed to be caused by him — his name became a byword for a bringer of bad luck.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Jonah” mean?
The word “Jonah” means someone or something believed to bring bad luck, especially aboard a ship. In plain terms, a person or thing blamed for bad luck, similar to a "jinx.".
How do you pronounce “Jonah”?
“Jonah” is pronounced JOH-nuh (/ˈd͡ʒoʊnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Jonah” in a sentence?
Here is “Jonah” used in a sentence: “The sailors began to think the new crewman was a jonah.”
What part of speech is “Jonah”?
“Jonah” is a noun.
Is “Jonah” a common word?
“Jonah” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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