unlucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unlucky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that experiences bad luck or misfortune. Example: "After losing his wallet and getting caught in the rain, he felt quite unlucky that day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes they can result in three of the same letter butting up against each other (Schifffahrt, journey on a ship, which looks so wrong but isn't, and seeerfahren, skilled at navigating, which is what you'll need to be on a Schifffahrt, or else you might bump into a Seeelephant or, if you're very unlucky a Schneeeule).

The Guardian

After playing such an influential role in Liverpool's unexpected Premier League title push, the 22-year-old was considered unlucky not to make Luiz Felipe Scolari's World Cup squad.

The Guardian - Sport

My parents were unlucky, but they lived joyous, full lives.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Algeria, the top-ranked team in Africa, the only one of the Cup of Nations qualifiers to reach the last 16 of the World Cup, were the danger lurking in Pot 2 and Ghana the unlucky seeds.

The Guardian - Sport

Chris Hughton's team have now lost three games in a week and failed to score a goal but Brighton were unlucky to leave empty-handed here.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was in the thick of it for both goals," admitted the unlucky substitute Neven Subotic, who had first involuntarily laid off the ball for Robert Lewandowski's equaliser, then lost the ball to Franck Ribéry and fouled the Frenchman in the box.

The Guardian - Sport

If Morgan was unlucky (not unanimous), Root just made a bad call.

The Guardian - Sport

Evans completely miscued a penalty attempt from the 10-metre line but he was unlucky when a conversion attempt from close to the touchline struck an upright.

The Guardian - Sport

And you'd never have mistaken Norman Hunter, should you have been unlucky enough to line up next to him in the tunnel, for the oppo's trequartista.

The Guardian - Sport

The second game they lost to the hosts, in part because of an unlucky own goal scored by the captain Andrés Escobar (no relation).

The Guardian - Sport

He once watched seven Lake Oku clawed frogs tear apart a praying mantis that had been unlucky enough to fall into the lake.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlucky", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or reason for the misfortune. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "unlucky" to describe situations that are clearly the result of negligence or poor planning. Reserve it for genuinely unforeseen or uncontrollable events.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unlucky" primarily functions to describe someone or something experiencing misfortune or bad luck. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in various contexts, from sports to personal circumstances, reflecting its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "unlucky" is a versatile term used to describe misfortune or a lack of good luck. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its common usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While alternatives like "unfortunate" or "ill-fated" exist, "unlucky" offers a straightforward way to convey the idea of chance or fate playing a role in negative outcomes. Remember to use it when describing genuinely unforeseen events, and be mindful of potential misattributions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate

Emphasizes the negative outcome or situation, focusing on the adverse circumstances.

ill-fated

Suggests a destiny of misfortune, implying a more significant or unavoidable sense of doom.

jinxed

Implies a spell or curse causing bad luck, often specific to a particular situation or object.

hapless

Highlights the victim's lack of control over their misfortune, emphasizing their innocence or vulnerability.

out of luck

A more direct and casual way of saying someone has no remaining chances or resources for success.

down on their luck

Describes a temporary state of misfortune, suggesting things are likely to improve.

star-crossed

Similar to "ill-fated", but often used in the context of romantic relationships destined for failure.

cursed

Implies a supernatural origin of bad luck, often associated with objects or places.

doomed

Suggests an inevitable and often catastrophic end, implying a lack of escape.

ill-starred

Similar to "ill-fated" and "star-crossed", referring to the influence of stars or fate on one's misfortune.

FAQs

How can I use the word "unlucky" in a sentence?

You can use "unlucky" to describe a person, situation, or object experiencing misfortune. For example, "He was "unlucky" to miss the bus this morning" or "The team had an "unlucky" streak of injuries".

What are some alternatives to saying someone is "unlucky"?

Alternatives to "unlucky" include "unfortunate", "ill-fated", "hapless", or "out of luck", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "unlucky in love"?

Yes, the phrase "unlucky in love" is a common idiom used to describe someone who consistently experiences misfortune or failure in romantic relationships.

What is the difference between "unlucky" and "unfortunate"?

"Unlucky" typically implies a lack of good fortune or chance, while "unfortunate" often refers to circumstances that are regrettable or undesirable. Although interchangeable in some contexts, "unlucky" more specifically suggests a role of chance or fate.