shlimazel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “shlimazel” mean?
A chronically unlucky or jinxed person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chronically unlucky or jinxed person.
Someone who consistently suffers misfortune through no fault of their own; a born loser.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Rarely used in British English without conscious reference to its Yiddish origin. Slightly more established in American English, especially in Jewish communities and urban areas.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a humorous, often affectionate, and slightly archaic tone. Not typically used as a serious insult.
Frequency
Both varieties: Very low. Primarily found in comedic contexts, discussions of Yiddish, or lexical curiosity.
Grammar
How to Use “shlimazel” in a Sentence
He/She/They is/are such a shlimazel.What a shlimazel!play/act the shlimazelVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shlimazel” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has a shlimazel luck about him.
American English
- It was just another shlimazel day for him.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; jocular: 'We need a new project manager who isn't a total shlimazel.'
Academic
Only in linguistic, cultural, or comedic studies.
Everyday
Informal, humorous: 'Of course my lottery ticket was a dud—I'm a shlimazel.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shlimazel”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shlimazel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shlimazel”
- Spelling: schlimazel, shlimazl, shlemazel.
- Using it to mean a foolish person (confusion with 'schlemiel').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A schlemiel is the one who causes the accident (clumsy, inept). The shlimazel is the one to whom the accident happens (chronically unlucky).
It is informal and humorous, not typically intended as a harsh insult. Tone and context are key.
Commonly pronounced SHLIM-uh-zuhl, with stress on the first syllable.
It is very rare in general international English. Its use typically signals familiarity with Yiddish loanwords, often in a humorous or self-aware way.
A chronically unlucky or jinxed person.
Shlimazel is usually informal, humorous in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The schlemiel spills the soup; the shlimazel is the one it lands on.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The LIMB (lim) of a MAZE (mazel) is unlucky—it's always lost.'
Conceptual Metaphor
LUCK IS A FLUID / Misfortune is a substance that clings to a person.
Practice
Quiz
Which best describes a 'shlimazel'?