jinx
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
A person or thing that brings bad luck; a curse or spell causing misfortune.
A state of persistent bad luck attributed to a specific cause; to bring bad luck to someone or something; to cause something to fail or go wrong.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in playful or superstitious contexts, but can describe genuine perceived misfortune. The verb form implies causation of bad luck.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The term is equally common in both varieties. The concept is culturally shared.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of superstition, sports, and informal blame for failure.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in informal speech in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to jinx [someone/something]to be jinxedThere is a jinx on [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Jinx! (said when two people speak simultaneously)”
- “to put a jinx on something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously about a failing project: 'This new software is jinxed.'
Academic
Extremely rare, except in anthropological or folkloric studies.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about sports, games, and minor misfortunes.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Don't say we'll win, you'll jinx the match!
- I think I jinxed the printer by praising it.
American English
- You totally jinxed us by talking about the no-hitter!
- I don't want to jinx it, but my job interview went well.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- This jinxed computer keeps crashing.
- He's considered a jinx player for any team he joins.
American English
- That jinxed car has broken down again.
- Stay away from me, you're jinxed!
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Oh no, we said the same thing! Jinx!
- My phone is jinxed. It never works.
- Some fans believe the old stadium is jinxed.
- I hope I don't jinx our holiday by planning too much.
- The team finally broke the jinx and won the cup after ten years.
- She blamed the project's failure on a corporate jinx.
- The superstitious actor felt a pervasive jinx had settled over the production.
- Analysts dismissed the 'curse' as a statistical anomaly, not a genuine jinx.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a Sphinx bringing a riddle of bad luck – a 'Jinx'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BAD LUCK IS A FORCE/OBJECT (that can be placed, lifted, or broken).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'порча' (spoilage/corruption) which is more severe. 'Сглаз' (evil eye) is closer but also more serious. The playful tone of 'jinx' is often lost.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing 'jinx' (noun/verb) with 'hex' (more associated with witchcraft).
- Incorrect: 'He has a jinx.' Correct: 'He *is* a jinx.' or 'He *has been* jinxed.'
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common, informal use of 'jinx' as an exclamation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively informal and conversational.
Yes, commonly. 'To jinx something' means to cause it to have bad luck, often just by mentioning a possible good outcome.
In the common children's game, the first person to say 'Jinx!' prevents the other from speaking until their name is said three times. There's no standard phrase to break other types of jinxes.
A 'curse' is often more serious, deliberate, and associated with magic or malice. A 'jinx' is usually lighter, sometimes accidental, and used in more playful or superstitious contexts.
Explore