noun
jinx
jihngks
noun
1
A curse or spell believed to bring bad luck.
"Some sailors believe whistling on deck brings a jinx."
"The old house had a reputation as a jinx on anyone who bought it."
2
A person or thing thought to cause misfortune wherever it goes.
"The team started calling their new stadium a jinx after five straight losses there."
verb
1
To bring bad luck to someone or something, often by saying something prematurely.
"Don't say the game is won yet — you'll jinx it!"
"She refused to talk about her interview beforehand in case she jinxed it."
How to Use Jinx
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo curse something with bad luck, usually by talking about good luck too soon.
Memory tip
It's often shouted as "Jinx!" when two people say the same word at the same time — a playful superstition rather than a real curse.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
jinx it
a jinx on the team
break the jinx
Word Forms
jinxed past tense, jinxes plural, jinxes singular
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Some sailors believe whistling on deck brings a _____.
Etymology
Traced back to jynx, an old word for a charm or spell, itself from the wryneck bird once used in folk magic.