lucky

"Lucky" is a common and useful adjective in English. It has a couple of closely related senses — one describing a person or thing that has good fortune, and another describing something that brings or results from good fortune. Here are the most important ways to use it.

1adjectivehaving good fortune

When something good happens to you — not because you worked for it, but just by chance — you are lucky. Think of finding a €20 note on the street. You did nothing special; it just happened. That is luck, and you are the lucky person.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She was lucky to find a seat on the crowded train.

I felt very lucky when my name was chosen in the raffle.

He is lucky to have such supportive friends.

2adjectivebringing good fortune

Some people believe that certain objects, numbers, or actions can cause good things to happen. When something is described this way, we call it lucky. For example, many people have a 'lucky number' or a 'lucky charm' — something they carry because they believe it helps them succeed.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

Seven is considered a lucky number in many cultures.

She always wears her lucky bracelet before an exam.

That old coin is his lucky charm — he takes it everywhere.

3adjectiveresulting from good luck rather than skill

Sometimes a good result happens not because someone is talented or careful, but simply by chance. In this sense, 'lucky' can carry a slight hint that the success was not fully deserved — it just happened to work out.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

That was a lucky guess — I had no idea what the answer was!

The goalkeeper admitted it was a lucky save; he barely touched the ball.

We made a lucky escape when the storm missed our town by just a few kilometres.