jinx

[ jingks ]

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

/ dʒɪŋks /

noun

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

verb

1. tr to be or put a jinx on

Other Words From

• out·jinx verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of jinx¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of jinx¹

C20: perhaps from New Latin Jynx genus name of the wryneck, from Greek iunx wryneck, the name of a bird used in magic

Example Sentences

There currently is a fear among Democrats of jinxing Harris' chances by making too much out of her gender.

From Salon

Moore chooses her words carefully when asked about the possible awards the film might bring, as is often the case for actors who don't wish to jinx any potential Oscars.

From BBC

“I shouldn’t even say this because I’m going to jinx it, but there’s not any catastrophe hanging over this year,” Huntsinger says.

From Los Angeles Times

He kept the bottles a secret from the crew so as not to jinx the journey.

From New York Times

I don't want to jinx things, but it seems highly unlikely that Trump will benefit from having "convicted felon" replace "former president" as his most recent title.

From Salon