luck
/lʊk/
This term describes a force of chance that operates independently of human effort or merit. It carries a neutral charge on its own, but is frequently paired with modifiers to indicate a positive or negative outcome. While it overlaps with fortune, luck often feels more spontaneous and erratic, whereas fortune can imply a broader, long-term destiny or accumulated wealth. Grammatically, this noun is uncountable. It cannot be pluralized as lucks, nor can it be used with the indefinite article a or an. To quantify it, speakers must use partitive constructions such as a stroke of luck or a bit of luck.
Generally used as an abstract mass noun referring to the general force of chance.
💬Casual Conversation
Just got the results back. My luck with this prof is absolutely cursed.
OH DEAR GRANDMA IS THINKING OF YOU. YOU MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK DEAR.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
good luck
success or good fortune, especially in a challenging situation.
I wish you good luck on your exam!
bad luck
unfortunate events or misfortune.
It was bad luck that the train was delayed.
beginner's luck
unexpected success experienced by a novice in an activity.
I can't believe I won the first time I played; it must have been beginner's luck.
stroke of luck
a sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.
Finding that money on the street was a real stroke of luck.
luck of the draw
chance or fortune in a situation where success depends on luck rather than skill.
Whether you get the job or not is just the luck of the draw.
Idioms & Sayings
better luck next time
a phrase used to console someone who has failed or been unsuccessful.
You didn't win the lottery, but better luck next time!
trust to luck
to rely on chance or fortune rather than planning or preparation.
We didn't have a map, so we just had to trust to luck to find our way.
push one's luck
to take a risk by continuing to do something that has already been successful, in the hope of further success, but risking failure.
He won twice already; he shouldn't push his luck by playing a third time.
for luck
in order to bring good fortune.
She bought a lottery ticket just for luck.
with any luck
if things go well; it is hoped that.
With any luck, we should arrive before dark.
Etymology
The word 'luck' originates from Middle High German 'lucke' and Middle Dutch 'luc', likely related to the verb 'lüken' meaning 'to close' or 'to shut', possibly in the sense of the closing of fate's door. It entered English around the 16th century, initially used in games of chance, and quickly became a common term for good or bad fortune.