unlucky 🔊
Meaning of unlucky
Having, bringing, or resulting from bad luck; unfortunate.
Key Difference
While 'unlucky' generally refers to a lack of good fortune, its synonyms may imply different degrees or contexts of misfortune.
Example of unlucky
- He was unlucky to miss the winning goal by inches.
- Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in many cultures.
Synonyms
unfortunate 🔊
Meaning of unfortunate
Suffering from bad luck; marked by misfortune.
Key Difference
'Unfortunate' often implies a more serious or lasting state of bad luck compared to 'unlucky,' which can be more situational.
Example of unfortunate
- It was unfortunate that the train got delayed during her important meeting.
- The unfortunate accident left him with a permanent injury.
hapless 🔊
Meaning of hapless
Unlucky, usually in a pitiable or helpless way.
Key Difference
'Hapless' suggests a sense of helplessness or repeated misfortune, unlike 'unlucky,' which can be a one-time event.
Example of hapless
- The hapless traveler lost his passport and luggage on the first day of his trip.
- The hapless team lost every match this season.
jinxed 🔊
Meaning of jinxed
Cursed or doomed to misfortune.
Key Difference
'Jinxed' implies a superstitious belief in a curse, while 'unlucky' is more general.
Example of jinxed
- The old castle was said to be jinxed, bringing bad luck to anyone who entered.
- He felt jinxed after his third failed business venture.
ill-fated 🔊
Meaning of ill-fated
Destined to fail or end badly.
Key Difference
'Ill-fated' suggests a doomed outcome, whereas 'unlucky' may not imply inevitability.
Example of ill-fated
- The ill-fated voyage of the Titanic ended in tragedy.
- Their ill-fated love story became a legend.
cursed 🔊
Meaning of cursed
Afflicted by a curse; doomed to misfortune.
Key Difference
'Cursed' carries a supernatural connotation, unlike 'unlucky,' which is more neutral.
Example of cursed
- The cursed diamond brought misery to all who owned it.
- He joked that his old car was cursed because it always broke down.
star-crossed 🔊
Meaning of star-crossed
Thwarted by bad luck; ill-fated (often used for lovers).
Key Difference
'Star-crossed' is poetic and often used for doomed relationships, while 'unlucky' is broader.
Example of star-crossed
- Romeo and Juliet are the most famous star-crossed lovers in literature.
- Their star-crossed romance ended before it could truly begin.
snakebit 🔊
Meaning of snakebit
Experiencing persistent bad luck (originally from sports).
Key Difference
'Snakebit' implies repeated bad luck, often in competitive contexts, unlike 'unlucky,' which can be occasional.
Example of snakebit
- The snakebit team couldn’t catch a break, losing every close game.
- After three failed startups, he felt completely snakebit.
luckless 🔊
Meaning of luckless
Continuously without luck; unfortunate.
Key Difference
'Luckless' emphasizes a prolonged lack of luck, while 'unlucky' can be temporary.
Example of luckless
- The luckless gambler lost his savings in a single night.
- Her luckless attempts at love left her heartbroken.
doomed 🔊
Meaning of doomed
Certain to fail or suffer misfortune.
Key Difference
'Doomed' implies inevitability, while 'unlucky' suggests chance.
Example of doomed
- The doomed expedition never returned from the Arctic.
- His doomed plan collapsed from the start.
Conclusion
- 'Unlucky' is a versatile word for describing bad fortune, suitable for both minor and major misfortunes.
- 'Unfortunate' works well in formal contexts or for serious misfortunes.
- 'Hapless' is ideal when emphasizing pitiable or helpless bad luck.
- 'Jinxed' fits superstitious or cursed situations.
- 'Ill-fated' is best for inevitable tragedies or doomed endeavors.
- 'Cursed' should be used when implying supernatural misfortune.
- 'Star-crossed' is perfect for doomed romances or poetic contexts.
- 'Snakebit' is great for sports or repeated bad luck scenarios.
- 'Luckless' emphasizes a long streak of misfortune.
- 'Doomed' applies when failure or disaster seems unavoidable.