Definition

Noun: 1. The force or phenomenon that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, especially when seemingly happening by chance. It refers to the unpredictable element of success or failure in events. 2. Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions. It describes the result of this phenomenon. 3. (Archaic) One's overall fortune or fate in life.

Usage

"Luck" is an uncountable noun. It describes an abstract concept and is not typically used in the plural ("lucks"). It is commonly modified by adjectives like good, bad, pure, sheer, hard, or incredible.

Examples

1. As an abstract force:
   • She attributed her success to luck rather than skill.
   • Some people believe you make your own luck.
2. Describing a fortunate outcome:
   • Wish me luck for my interview!
   • By sheer luck, I found my lost keys in the park.
   • He had the luck to be in the right place at the right time.
3. Describing an unfortunate outcome:
   • What rotten luck to get a flat tire on the way to the airport!
   • It was just my luck that it started raining as soon as I left the house.

Advanced Usage

• "As luck would have it": Used to introduce an event that happened by chance, often ironically.
  • As luck would have it, the train was canceled on the day I was running late.
• "Any luck?": A common informal question asking if someone was successful in an attempt.
  • "Any luck finding a parking spot?" "No luck at all."
• "With (any) luck": Expressing hope for a desired outcome.
  • With a bit of luck, we'll finish the project on time.

Variants and Related Words

• Lucky (adjective): Having, bringing, or resulting from good luck.
  • A lucky charm; a lucky winner.
• Luckless (adjective): Having no luck; unfortunate.
  • The luckless explorer never found the treasure.
• Luckiness (noun): The state of being lucky. (Less common)

Synonyms

• Fortune: Often implies a larger, more lasting power or trend of luck. ()
• Chance: Emphasizes the random, unplanned nature of an event. ()
• Fate/Destiny: Implies a predetermined, inevitable course of events, less random than luck.
• Serendipity: The occurrence of finding valuable or pleasant things by chance.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Beginner's luck: Unexpected success experienced by someone new to an activity.
  • He won his first poker game—must be beginner's luck.
• Down on one's luck: Experiencing a period of misfortune or poverty.
  • He was down on his luck and needed a place to stay.
• Push one's luck / Tempt fate: To take a risk that tests the limits of one's good fortune.
  • You've gotten away with being late twice; don't push your luck.
• Good luck charm: An object believed to bring good luck.
• The luck of the draw: An outcome determined purely by chance.
  • Getting a good roommate is just the luck of the draw.
• Just one's luck: Used to express resigned acceptance of a typical misfortune.
  • The bus drove away just as I arrived. Just my luck!

Noun

1. an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that leads to a favorable outcome
   • it was my good luck to be there
   • they say luck is a lady
   • it was as if fortune guided his hand
2. an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
   • bad luck caused his downfall
   • we ran into each other by pure chance
3. your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
   • whatever my fortune may be
   • deserved a better fate
   • has a happy lot
   • the luck of the Irish
   • a victim of circumstances
   • success that was her portion