luck

Syllabification: (luck)

Pronunciation: /lək/

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Definition of luck

noun

success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions:it was just luck that the first kick went in this charm was supposed to bring good luck
chance considered as a force that causes good or bad things to happen:luck was with me
something regarded as bringing about or portending good or bad things:I don’t like Friday—it’s bad luck

verb

[no object] (luck into/onto) informal

chance to find or acquire:he lucked into a disc-jockey job
(luck out) achieve success or advantage by good luck:I lucked out and found a wonderful woman

Phrases

as luck would have it: used to indicate the fortuitousness of a situation:as luck would have it, his route took him very near where they lived
tough luck: informal used to express a lack of sympathy:tough luck if they complain
be in (or out of) luck: be fortunate (or unfortunate).
for luck: to bring good fortune:I wear this crystal under my costume for luck
good (or the best of) luck: used to express wishes for success:good luck with your studies!
the luck of the draw: the outcome of chance rather than something one can control:quality of care depends largely on the luck of the draw
no such luck: informal used to express disappointment that something has not happened or is unlikely to happen.
try one's luck: do something that involves risk or luck, hoping to succeed:he thought he’d try his luck at farming in Canada
with (any or a little or a bit of) luck: expressing the hope that something will happen in the way described:with luck we should be there in time for breakfast
worse luck: British informal used to express regret about something:I have to go to secretarial school, worse luck

Origin:

late Middle English (as a verb): perhaps from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch lucken. The noun use (late 15th century) is from Middle Low German lucke, related to Dutch geluk, German Glück, of West Germanic origin and possibly related to lock¹

luck in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of luck in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

luck

noun

verb

Phrases

as luck would have it

tough luck

be in (or out of) luck

for luck

good (or the best of) luck

the luck of the draw

no such luck

try one's luck

with (any or a little or a bit of) luck

worse luck

Origin:

luck in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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