lucky
/ˈlʌki/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlʌki/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlə-kē/ (ame, mw)
lucky — adjective
1. A lucky person experiences unexpected good things in their life, without having
A lucky person experiences unexpected good things in their life, without having planned or worked for them. For example, someone who finds money on the street or who survives a car crash without injury is considered lucky.
Ravi felt lucky to have found his wallet on a park bench before anyone took it.
lucky + to-infinitive for chance events
The lucky girl won two free concert tickets in the radio station's morning contest.
"I am lucky that my train was delayed, or I would have missed you," said Leila.
Hana considered herself lucky because the rain stopped just before her wedding ceremony.
Neighbours call Tomás a lucky gambler, but he studies every game before betting.
- unlucky
direct opposite; bad things happen by chance
文法句型
lucky + to-infinitive
lucky + that-clause
be + lucky
feel / consider yourself + lucky
用法筆記
Common in the pattern 'lucky + to-infinitive' (e.g. 'lucky to be alive') and 'lucky + that-clause' (e.g. 'lucky that someone was there'). This is the only sense that freely combines with these structures. When used attributively before a noun ('a lucky winner'), it describes the person's general fortune rather than a single event.
常見錯誤
2. An object, number, colour, or action that people believe brings good fortune or
An object, number, colour, or action that people believe brings good fortune or success, often because of tradition or superstition. For example, a particular charm someone carries to an exam or a number they bet on in a lottery.
Priya wore her lucky necklace to every job interview and credited it for her success.
lucky + noun (lucky necklace)
The coach kept a lucky coin in his pocket throughout the entire championship season.
In many Asian cultures, the number eight is a lucky number because it sounds like the word for wealth.
Diego refused to wash his lucky socks during the tournament, saying they helped the team win.
- auspicious
more formal; signals a promising start
- propitious
very formal; suggests favourable conditions
- unlucky
believed to bring bad luck
文法句型
lucky + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used directly before a noun — 'lucky charm', 'lucky number', 'lucky colour'. Unlike Sense 1, it does not work with structures like 'lucky to...' or 'lucky that...'. The belief is usually personal or cultural, not a proven fact.
常見錯誤
3. An event, result, or situation that happens because of good fortune rather than
An event, result, or situation that happens because of good fortune rather than through skill, effort, or careful planning. For example, a guess that turns out correct by accident, or an escape from danger that was not arranged.
It was a lucky break that the bus arrived just as Yusuf reached the bus stop.
lucky break — a fortunate chance event
Finding a parking spot right in front of the restaurant on a Saturday night was pure luck.
Aiko's answer was a lucky guess, but her teacher still praised her for trying.
"It was lucky that the firefighters arrived when they did," said the news reporter at the scene.
- unfortunate
an outcome that is bad and regrettable
文法句型
lucky + noun
be + lucky
it was lucky (that)
用法筆記
Frequently used in the impersonal structure 'It is/was lucky (that)...' to comment on a situation. Unlike Sense 1, this sense does not describe a person — it describes the event or situation itself. Distinguish from Sense 1: a person is lucky (they experience good fortune); an outcome is lucky (it results from chance).