luck
luck
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "luck" is /lʌk/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable (luck is a single-syllable word):
l: /l/ as in "l"ight
ʌ: /ʌ/ as in "u"p
k: /k/ as in "k"ite
Word Form Variations
luck (noun, singular, uncountable): This is the base form and refers to fortune, good or bad. Since it's uncountable, you don't typically say "a luck" or "two lucks" in standard English.
lucky (adjective): Describes someone or something that experiences or brings good fortune. For example, "a lucky person," "a lucky charm."
luckier (adjective, comparative): The comparative form of "lucky." For example, "I'm luckier than him."
luckiest (adjective, superlative): The superlative form of "lucky." For example, "She's the luckiest person I know."
luckily (adverb): Describes something done or happening by good fortune. For example, "Luckily, I brought an umbrella."
There is no standard plural form of the noun "luck" as it's generally uncountable. You wouldn't say "lucks."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (luck)
Definition: A force or principle believed to determine events, especially favorable ones, beyond one's control; the seemingly random occurrence of events that benefit or harm an individual.
Synonyms: fortune, chance, fate, destiny, serendipity, happenstance, kismet
Antonyms: misfortune, bad luck, ill fortune, adversity, hardship, doom
Adjective (lucky)
Definition: Experiencing or characterized by good fortune; fortunate.
Synonyms: fortunate, blessed, charmed, auspicious, favored, successful
Antonyms: unlucky, unfortunate, cursed, ill-fated, hapless, doomed
Adjective (luckier)
Definition: More fortunate than someone or something else. (Comparative form of lucky).
Synonyms: More fortunate, more blessed, more favored
Antonyms: Less lucky, less fortunate, less blessed
Adjective (luckiest)
Definition: The most fortunate of all. (Superlative form of lucky).
Synonyms: Most fortunate, most blessed, most favored
Antonyms: Least lucky, least fortunate, least blessed
Adverb (luckily)
Definition: Fortunately; by good luck.
Synonyms: fortunately, happily, thankfully, providentially, auspiciously
Antonyms: unfortunately, unhappily, sadly, regrettably, disastrously
Examples of Use
Noun (luck):
"They attributed their success to a combination of hard work and good luck." (General public discourse)
"Against all the odds and with a little bit of luck, he managed to win the race." (Sports news - could be from any sports publication)
"Some people believe that carrying a rabbit's foot brings good luck." (Cultural belief, often discussed online and in everyday conversation)
"The novel explores the role of luck in shaping our lives." (Book review, potentially from a newspaper or online literary magazine)
Adjective (lucky):
"She felt lucky to have such supportive friends." (General public discourse)
"He's a lucky guy to have won the lottery." (News report, could be from any news source)
"The team needs a lucky break to win this game." (Sports commentary, TV or online)
"This is my lucky shirt." (Informal conversation)
Adjective (luckier/luckiest):
"I'm luckier than I was last year." (General public discourse)
"She's the luckiest person I know." (Casual conversation)
"They were the luckiest survivors of the accident." (News report)
Adverb (luckily):
"Luckily, the rain stopped before the picnic started." (General public discourse)
"Luckily, no one was hurt in the fire." (News report)
"Luckily, I had my umbrella with me." (Everyday conversation)
Phrases/Idioms:
"Better luck next time!" (Common expression of consolation)
"To push your luck" (Idiom meaning to take unnecessary risks)
"Out of luck" (Meaning to have no remaining good fortune or chances)
10 Famous Quotes Using Luck
"I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." — Thomas Jefferson
"Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." — Seneca
"It’s hard to detect good luck — it looks so much like something you’ve earned." — Frank A. Clark
"Diligence is the mother of good luck." — Benjamin Franklin
"Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men." — E.B. White
"Luck never gives; it only lends." — Swedish Proverb
"People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have." — Anne Tyler
"The only sure thing about luck is that it will change." — Bret Harte
"Luck is believing you’re lucky." — Tennessee Williams
Etymology
The word "luck" has a pretty interesting history! It's thought to have come from the Middle Dutch word "luc," which was a shortened version of "gelucke." "Gelucke" meant "good fortune" or "happiness." This Dutch word made its way into English sometime in the 15th century.
So, the very first uses of "luck" in English were all about this idea of good fortune, a favorable outcome that seemed to happen by chance rather than because of anything you did. It was about that feeling of things going your way, almost as if some unseen force was helping you out. Over time, the meaning broadened a bit to include both good and bad fortune, but the core idea of something happening unexpectedly and outside of your direct control has remained.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Luck
Commonly Used Phrases and Idioms:
Good luck: A very common expression of well-wishing.
Bad luck: Refers to misfortune.
Lucky break: A sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.
A lucky streak: A period of time when someone experiences repeated good luck.
Pushing your luck: Taking a risk after a period of good fortune, potentially tempting fate.
Out of luck: Having no remaining good fortune or chances.
Better luck next time: A consoling phrase offered to someone who has experienced a setback.
To have the luck of the draw: To experience a particular outcome due to chance.
Less Common/More Literal Phrases:
Try your luck: To attempt something risky or uncertain, hoping for a positive outcome.
Why "Luck" Isn't As Idiomatic:
While "luck" is a common concept, it often appears within idioms rather than being the focus of them. Many idioms revolve around actions and circumstances related to luck, not the abstract idea of luck itself. We talk about having luck, running out of luck, or wishing someone luck, but fewer idioms use "luck" as the central verb or image.
Idioms with Synonyms (to capture the spirit of luck):
Since "luck" relates to chance, fortune, and fate, here are some idioms that capture similar ideas:
Chance favors the prepared mind: (Relates to how luck often seems to coincide with preparation)
Fortune smiles on the bold: (Similar to "pushing your luck," but emphasizing courage)
To be in the right place at the right time: (Describes the serendipitous nature of good luck)
To fall into something: (Describes an unexpected and fortunate occurrence)
To have a charmed life: (Implies consistent good fortune)
Original/Less Common Phrases (to illustrate use):
"He rode his luck for as long as he could."
"Luck played a cruel trick on them."
"She believed her luck was about to change."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of luck from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
