luckless
UK[ˈlʌkləs]US[ˈlʌkləs]
adj
having or experiencing bad luck; unfortunate.
Morpheme Breakdown
luck
less
luck
fortune
less
without
Etymology
the word 'luckless' is a straightforward compound formed within the english language. its first element, 'luck', entered english from middle low german and middle dutch in the late middle ages, originally denoting fortune or chance, whether good or bad. the second element is the native old english suffix '-less', which has consistently meant 'without' or 'lacking'. the combination, emerging in the late 16th century, logically constructs the meaning 'without luck' or 'devoid of good fortune'. this transparent morphological process directly links the ancient sense of the suffix to the later borrowed root, creating a clear and enduring descriptive term for an unfortunate state.
Analysis
Structure: luck (fortune) + less (without)
luck (middle low german, middle dutch 'luc', short for 'gheluc'; a noun meaning fortune or chance). less (old english '-lēas', an adjective-forming suffix meaning devoid of, free from, without).
Examples
the luckless adventurer lost his map and compass on the first day of the expedition.
she made a luckless attempt to start her own business during the economic downturn.
the team's luckless streak continued with another last-minute defeat.