lucky
lucky
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "lucky" is /ˈlʌk.i/.
/ˈlʌk/
/i/
Word Form Variations
Adjective: lucky (positive), luckier (comparative), luckiest (superlative)
Adverb: luckily
Noun: (No direct noun form; related nouns include "luck," "luckiness")
Verb: (No direct verb form)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Having, bringing, or resulting from good luck or fortune.
Synonyms: fortunate, serendipitous, blessed, favored, providential, propitious
Antonyms: unlucky, unfortunate, cursed, ill-fated, star-crossed, jinxed
Definition 2: Happening by chance, especially in a favorable way; fortuitous.
Synonyms: coincidental, accidental, chance, adventitious, random (if positive outcome)
Antonyms: intentional, planned, deliberate, calculated, purposeful
Definition 3: Indicating or characterized by good fortune.
Synonyms: auspicious, favorable, promising, propitious, golden
Antonyms: inauspicious, unfavorable, unpromising, bleak, dire
Adverb
Definition 1: By good fortune; fortunately. (Typically "luckily" is used, but "lucky" can function informally)
Synonyms: fortunately, providentially, by chance, auspiciously
Antonyms: unfortunately, regrettably, sadly, tragically
Definition 2 (informal, used to express relief): It is fortunate that.
Example usage: "Lucky you remembered your keys!"
Synonyms: fortunately, thankfully
Antonyms: unfortunately, too bad (that)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He considered himself lucky to have survived the shipwreck, against all odds." (Fictional example from an adventure or survival novel)
"The scientist felt lucky to witness such a rare astronomical event, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence." (From a non-fiction book on astronomy or a memoir)
"It was a lucky break for the young entrepreneur when his idea received unexpected funding." (Fictional example, highlighting good fortune in a business narrative)
Newspapers:
"The Gor Mahia football team felt lucky to escape with a draw after a controversial refereeing decision in their favor." ("The Standard Sports,")
"Residents in the flooded areas were lucky to be evacuated before the storm worsened." ("Daily Nation,")
"Are some people just born lucky, or can luck be cultivated? Experts weigh in." ("The New York Times,")
Online Publications:
"Seven lucky habits that can attract more success into your life." (An article on a self-improvement blog, e.g., "Mindvalley,")
"You'll be lucky to get your hands on the new gaming console before it sells out completely." (A tech news report on "IGN,")
"Enter our giveaway for a chance to be one of the lucky winners of a trip to Diani Beach!" (A promotional banner on a travel website, e.g., "Kenya Tourism Board,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?" (Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry, 1971)
Television Series: "Our contestant was incredibly lucky to pick the right door and win the grand prize!" (A game show host's commentary, e.g., The Price Is Right)
Song Lyrics: "I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love." (From Jason Mraz's song "Lucky," 2008)
Video Games: "You found a lucky charm! Your critical hit chance has increased." (In-game notification for finding an item, e.g., Borderlands)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we discuss whether success is a result of skill, hard work, or just plain lucky breaks." (A podcast on business or psychology, e.g., "Freakonomics Radio")
General Public Discourse:
"I was so lucky to catch that matatu just before it left!" (A casual statement about convenient timing in Nairobi)
"You're lucky you didn't get caught speeding!" (A statement of relief for someone else's narrow escape)
"She's always so lucky at the lottery; I never win anything." (A common complaint about someone else's good fortune)
"It was pure lucky coincidence that we met at the airport." (Describing a fortunate chance encounter)
"Are you feeling lucky today for the quiz?" (A question before a challenge or game)
10 Famous Quotes Using Lucky
“It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.” – Arnold Palmer
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it. Lucky? No—persistent.” – Thomas Jefferson
“Sometimes you're lucky enough to get your wish in the form you least expect.” – Stephen King
“I’ve been lucky. Opportunities don't often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them.” – Audrey Hepburn
“Better to be lucky than good, they say. But I’d rather be both.” – Michael Jordan
“The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work. Lucky breaks happen to people who hustle.” – Harry Golden
“Some people are lucky enough to fall in love with their best friend. I’m one of them.” – Unknown
“I’ve been lucky to do things most people only dream about. I never forget that.” – Beyoncé
“You’re lucky if you find someone who never lets you go, even when you give them every reason to.” – Unknown
“Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.” – Ray Kroc
Etymology
The word "lucky" is quite straightforward in its formation. It comes from the noun "luck" with the common English adjective-forming suffix "-y."
The noun "luck" itself is interesting because it's a relatively late addition to English, appearing around the late 15th century. It's believed to be a borrowing from Middle Dutch (luc, a shortened form of gheluc), or possibly from a similar Low German word, both meaning "happiness" or "good fortune." It likely came into English as a term used in gambling.
The suffix "-y" is an old English suffix (from Old English -ig), used to create adjectives meaning "having the quality of" or "full of."
So, when "lucky" first appeared in English, around 1450 (Middle English period), its meaning was "bringing, or regarded as bringing, good luck; auspicious." It literally meant "having luck" or "full of luck." This meaning has remained consistent right up to today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Lucky
Lucky charm: An object believed to bring good luck.
Lucky strike: A sudden piece of good fortune; a fortunate hit or outcome.
Lucky break: A sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.
Beginner's luck: Success experienced by a novice, often attributed to chance rather than skill.
Feeling lucky: Having a premonition of good fortune or being willing to take a risk.
Lucky star: A planet or celestial body believed to influence one's destiny favorably. (Often "born under a lucky star").
Lucky dip: A game where prizes are drawn randomly from a container.
Get lucky: To have good fortune; (informal, euphemism) to engage in sexual activity.
No such luck: Expressing disappointment that something desired has not happened.
To count one's blessings: To be grateful for the good things in one's life. (Implies acknowledging one's "lucky" circumstances).
A stroke of luck: A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune. (Synonym for "lucky break")
Fortunate turn of events: A series of circumstances that lead to a positive outcome. (Synonym for a "lucky" situation).
A lucky escape: A narrow avoidance of danger or trouble.
To ride one's luck: To continue to take risks while one is succeeding.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of lucky from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
