Unlucky

How to spell unlucky

7 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce unlucky

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does unlucky mean?

1. adjectiveHaving or bringing bad fortune; marked by misfortune.

Unlucky in a sentence

• He felt unlucky to miss the train by only a minute.

• Many people consider the number thirteen unlucky.

Where does unlucky come from?

Language of origin: Dutch

This word is a transparent English compound built from the prefix un-, meaning 'not', and 'lucky', the adjective form of 'luck'. The noun 'luck' itself was borrowed into late medieval English, probably through Dutch or Low German 'luk', a shortened form of 'gelucke', which meant good fortune or happiness. English speakers added the native suffix -y to make the adjective 'lucky', and then the equally native prefix un- to reverse the sense, giving 'unlucky' by the late 1500s. The spelling keeps the simple single 'l' of luck plus the doubled 'ck', so the only real trap is remembering that no second 'l' creeps in after the prefix. Because every part of the word is plainly English, the meaning and the spelling line up neatly: not having luck.

How the word is built

• un- (not)
• luck (chance, fortune)
• -y (adjective suffix)