Jinx Definition & Meaning

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  • American
  • British
  • Other Word Forms
  • Etymology
  • Examples
  • Related Words
    • Synonyms jinx American [jingks] / dʒɪŋks /

    verb (used with object)

    1. to bring bad luck to; curse.

      According to tradition, wishing an actor “good luck” before a show will jinx their performance.

      That place on the corner seems jinxed—no business ever stays there for long.

    2. to destroy the point of.

      His sudden laugh jinxed the host's joke.

    noun

    1. a person, thing, or influence supposed to bring bad luck.

      They said I was a jinx, because every time I came to see them play, they lost.

    interjection

    1. (used after two people say exactly the same thing at exactly the same time).

      I’ll drive—jinx! Great minds think alike!

    jinx British / dʒɪŋks /

    noun

    1. an unlucky or malevolent force, person, or thing

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    verb

    1. (tr) to be or put a jinx on

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    Other Word Forms

    • outjinx verb (used with object)

    Etymology

    Origin of jinx

    An Americanism first recorded in 1910–15; perhaps from Latin jynx “wryneck” (bird used in divination and magic), from Greek íynx, perhaps from or akin to iýzein “to shout, yell”

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    Once again, Bill Plaschke has literally jinxed another Southern California sports team with his proclamation questions regarding the Rams:

    From Los Angeles Times

    The Rams are going to win it all, and before you cry jinx, understand that this is just putting into words what many already are thinking.

    From Los Angeles Times

    Christie joked that he feared he had "jinxed" Scotland's draw.

    From BBC

    "I don't want to jinx it, but I feel like it's gone very, very well," says Ricky.

    From BBC

    “I don’t want to jinx it,” said Seckeita Lewis, who was flying Friday from San Francisco to Dallas on American Airlines.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    Related Words

    • hex

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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