I. ˈlək noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English lucke, from Middle Dutch luc; akin to Middle Low German lucke luck, Middle High German gelücke
1.
a. : a purposeless, unpredictable, and uncontrollable force that shapes events favorably or unfavorably for an individual, group, or cause : fate , fortune
luck is still a factor in the growth of nations as well as men — Samuel Van Valkenburg & Ellsworth Huntington
b. : a chance combination of circumstances or conditions operating for or against the individual : accident
seems less an act of divine providence than plain bad luck — Time
the luck of the cards was against him — W.P.Webb
the luck of the hunt was with some of these teams — C.W.Nimitz
c. : customary or characteristic fortune as evidenced by a series of successes or mishaps
his hard luck followed him throughout his life
it was his luck to go through the war without a scratch
just our luck to get a fellow like that — James Hilton
2.
a. : a good fortune : favoring chance
through a combination of luck and hard work he rose to the top
b. : favorable outcome : success
having no luck at all with the … operator on the other end of the line — R.M.Blough
admired a lilac in his backyard and said I had no luck with them — Nell G. Ahern
his purchase of the Nicaragua right of way had better luck — F.L.Paxson
3. : something believed to bring good luck : charm
jutting from her topmast was a bunch of heather, which was the ship's luck — G.G.Carter
Synonyms: see chance
•
- down on one's luck
- in luck
- out of luck
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English lukken to chance, happen, from lucke, n.
intransitive verb
1. : to prosper or succeed especially through chance or good fortune
lucked out on the exam
: happen or come upon something desirable through good fortune
lucked into a really valuable find
— usually used with out, on, or into
2. : to take action relying on one's luck — usually used with out or through
just luck through without any plan or policy
transitive verb
: to carry out (an action) relying on one's luck : venture , risk — often used with it
luck it through
luck it out