The word "luckless" is spelled l-u-c-k-l-e-s-s. It is pronounced as /ˈlʌkləs/, with the stress on the first syllable. This word means without luck or unfortunate. The initial consonant "L" is followed by the short vowel "u" and the "ck" sound, which is then followed by the "l" sound again. This is followed by the soft "e" sound and ends with the "s" sound. The spelling of this word is quite straightforward and its pronunciation is easy to grasp for learners of English.
Luckless is an adjective that describes someone or something that has been unfortunate or unsuccessful in their endeavors, often due to a lack of luck or favorable circumstances. The term is typically used to express sympathy or pity for someone who has endured a continuous string of misfortune.
In the context of personal or individual luck, luckless signifies a consistent lack of good fortune or positive outcomes. It suggests that despite putting in effort or having talent, the person remains unable to achieve success due to unfortunate circumstances beyond their control. For example, a luckless job seeker may repeatedly face a series of unfortunate events such as missed opportunities, unsuccessful interviews, or the arrival of qualified competitors, preventing them from finding employment.
When applied to objects or situations, luckless denotes the absence of any positive or desired outcome. It implies that the endeavor or event has not produced the intended result or has encountered a series of setbacks. For instance, a luckless business venture could refer to a project that has continuously suffered from financial losses, lack of customer interest, or other unfavorable factors, leading to its ultimate failure.
Overall, luckless conveys a sense of sympathy or empathy towards those who have experienced a persistent lack of fortune or success. It highlights the unfortunate circumstances that have consistently impeded progress or positive outcomes.
Without good luck; unsuccessful.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "luckless" is derived from the combination of two root words: "luck" and "less".
The term "luck" originated from the Middle Dutch word "luc", which means fortune or chance. It then evolved into the Middle High German word "gelücke" and eventually into the Old Norse word "lukka". In Old English, "luck" was referred to as "gelūc" or "hæft".
The suffix "-less" is of Old English origin and is used to form adjectives that indicate the absence or lack of something. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic language and shares roots with similar suffixes in other Germanic languages.
Combining "luck" with "-less" results in "luckless", which describes someone or something devoid of luck or unfortunate.