# jinx

/ˈdʒɪŋks/ (US) · /dʒˈɪŋks/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jinx
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: a person, object, or influence believed to bring bad luck. Often used in casual contexts to describe a perceived pattern of misfortune.

## Examples

- 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 notes

- Commonly used as a singular noun with 'a' or 'the'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.