mischance
/mis'tʃɑ:ns/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A traveler encounters a mischance when his suitcase opens on the train platform.
Definition
Noun: 1. An instance of misfortune; a piece of bad luck. It refers to a single unfortunate event or accident. 2. An unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate. It describes an unlucky result that happens by chance.
Usage
The word "mischance" is a formal or literary term for bad luck or an unlucky event. It often implies that the misfortune is minor or accidental, not a major tragedy. It is typically used as a countable noun.
Examples
- Noun:
- A series of mischances delayed our journey.
- He lost his job through no fault of his own, but by sheer mischance.
- By some cruel mischance, the letter arrived the day after she left.
Advanced Usage
- "by mischance": by accident; as a result of bad luck.
- The document was destroyed by mischance.
- The concept is often used to contrast with deliberate action or major disaster, highlighting the role of random chance in the misfortune.
Variants and Related Words
- Mishap (n): A minor unlucky accident or incident. (Often considered slightly less formal than ).
- Misfortune (n): Bad luck; an unfortunate condition or event. (Can be broader and more severe than ).
Synonyms
- Accident: An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly.
- Mishap: An unlucky accident.
- Misfortune: Bad luck.
- Fluke (informal): An unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck (can be positive or negative).
Antonyms
- Fortune: Good luck; success.
- Luck: Success or failure brought by chance.
- Windfall: An unexpected piece of good fortune.
Idioms and Phrases
- "a twist of mischance": A phrase describing an unexpected turn of bad luck.
- A final twist of mischance saw him miss the winning goal.
A traveler encounters a mischance when his suitcase opens on the train platform.
Noun
- an instance of misfortune
- an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
- if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all