unlucky

The word “unlucky” means having or bringing bad luck. In plain terms, marked by bad luck, or believed to cause it.

“Unlucky” is pronounced uhn-LUH-kee (/ʌnˈlʌki/ in IPA).

Here is “unlucky” used in a sentence: “It was an unlucky day for the whole team.”

Words with a similar meaning to “unlucky” include hapless, down on one's luck, fortuneless, ill-boding, ill-fated and ill-starred.

The opposite of “unlucky” — its antonyms — is lucky.

“Unlucky” is an adjective.

“Unlucky” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Unlucky specifically points to bad luck or chance as the cause of a negative outcome, while unfortunate is broader and can describe any regrettable situation regardless of whether luck was involved. 'Unlucky to lose' suggests chance played a role, whereas 'unfortunate decision' does not imply luck at all.

Unlucky is a neutral, everyday word suitable for both casual conversation and general writing. It is less formal than alternatives like inauspicious or ill-fated, which appear more in literary or elevated contexts.

Certain numbers, such as thirteen in many Western cultures or four in some East Asian cultures, are considered unlucky due to superstitions and cultural associations rather than any factual basis. The word unlucky is used here to mean believed to bring bad luck.