jinx
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈdʒɪŋks// UK //dʒˈɪŋks// jinx
n. a person or thing that brings bad luck. You might say this when you think talking about a good thing will make it go wrong.
n. a person, object, or influence believed to bring bad luck. Often used in casual contexts to describe a perceived pattern of misfortune.
I don't want to talk about the game yet because I might jinx it.
The team refused to mention the trophy before the final, fearing it would be a jinx.
Superstitious actors often treat the name of the 'Scottish Play' as a jinx, preferring to refer to it by its euphemism to avoid inviting disaster to the production.
Usage
Commonly used as a singular noun with 'a' or 'the'.