lucky
LUH-kee
Lucky (adjective) means having good fortune; enjoying favourable outcomes without necessarily earning them. Example: “I felt lucky to find a seat on the crowded train.”
adjective
1
Having good fortune; enjoying favourable outcomes without necessarily earning them.
"I felt lucky to find a seat on the crowded train."
"She's lucky enough to have never lost a match this season."
"You were lucky not to be caught in that storm."
2
Believed to bring good fortune.
"My sister wears her lucky socks to every exam."
"Many people think seven is a lucky number."
"He always carries a lucky coin in his pocket."
How to use lucky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBlessed with good fortune, or thought to bring it.
Common mistake
Saying "I am lucky" describes your fortune; saying "that object is lucky" describes a superstition — keep the two senses distinct in writing.
Common pairings
lucky charm
lucky break
lucky number
you're lucky that
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Word forms
- Comparative
- luckier, more lucky
- Superlative
- luckiest, most lucky
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I felt _____ to find a seat on the crowded train.
Etymology
From Middle English lukky, built from luck plus the adjective-forming suffix -y — essentially "full of luck."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lucky
See all rhymes for lucky →Frequently asked questions
What does “lucky” mean?
The word “lucky” means having good fortune; enjoying favourable outcomes without necessarily earning them. In plain terms, blessed with good fortune, or thought to bring it.
How do you pronounce “lucky”?
“Lucky” is pronounced LUH-kee (/ˈlʌki/ in IPA).
How do you use “lucky” in a sentence?
Here is “lucky” used in a sentence: “She's lucky enough to have never lost a match this season.”
What is another word for “lucky”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lucky” include charmed, fortuitous, fortunate, freak, happy and providential.
What is the opposite of “lucky”?
The opposite of “lucky” — its antonyms — are cursed, unfortunate and unlucky.
What part of speech is “lucky”?
“Lucky” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lucky” come from?
The word “lucky” comes from Middle English. From Middle English lukky, built from luck plus the adjective-forming suffix -y — essentially "full of luck.".
Is “lucky” a common word?
“Lucky” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between lucky and fortunate?
The words are close, but differ slightly in tone. 'Lucky' stresses pure chance, good things happening by accident. 'Fortunate' is a little more formal and often suggests a genuinely favourable situation, whether or not chance was involved. You might feel lucky to win a raffle but fortunate to have a supportive family.
What is the opposite of lucky?
The direct opposite is 'unlucky,' suffering bad fortune or unfavourable outcomes through no fault of your own. Other opposites include unfortunate and hapless, or, more informally, jinxed and cursed. Each describes chance working against someone rather than in their favour, so that outcomes turn out badly.
Can you make yourself luckier?
Luck itself is chance and cannot be controlled, but you can improve your odds. Staying open to opportunities, meeting new people, preparing well, and taking sensible risks all put you in the path of good outcomes more often. What looks like luck is frequently effort meeting opportunity.
Is lucky a positive word?
Yes, lucky is a positive word, describing good fortune and favourable outcomes. It carries one subtle implication, though: that the good result came by chance rather than being earned. Calling a success 'lucky' can occasionally downplay the skill or hard work behind it, so tone matters.
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