luck

The tendency for good things to happen to someone by chance.

• Good luck with your exam!
• She always seems to have good luck.
• Do you believe this charm brings luck?

How to use it: luck with something (Good luck with your interview!)

Similar words: fortune

Common phrases: good luck, bad luck, bring luck, wish someone luck

Chance that affects what happens, rather than planning or skill.

• Winning this game depends on luck.
• We met again by pure luck.
• Was it skill or luck that helped you win?

Similar words: chance

Common phrases: pure luck, by luck, matter of luck, luck of something

Something good that happens by chance.

• Finding those tickets was a stroke of luck.
• A little luck helped us finish on time.
• We had some luck and found a cheap hotel.

Similar words: good fortune, lucky break

Opposites: misfortune

Common phrases: stroke of luck, bit of luck, piece of luck

To get something good or succeed because of chance.

• We lucked out with the weather.
• He lucked into a well-paid job.
• You might luck onto a cheap flight.

How to use it: luck into something (She lucked into a job near her home.); luck out (We lucked out and got the last table.)

Common phrases: luck into something, luck out, luck onto something