hapless

[ hap-lis ]

adjective

1. unlucky; luckless; unfortunate.

   Synonyms: pathetic, forlorn, wretched, woebegone, miserable, pitiable

hapless

/ ˈhæplɪs /

adjective

1. unfortunate; wretched

Derived Forms

• ˈhaplessly, adverb
• ˈhaplessness, noun

Other Words From

• hapless·ly adverb
• hapless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hapless¹

First recorded in 1560–70; hap ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

Walker Buehler took it from there, his season-long comeback complete with five shutout innings that was sparked with a strikeout of the hapless Judge in the first.

From Los Angeles Times

Vengeance Most Fowl, the pair's first full-length feature film in 19 years, will see the hapless inventor and his canine companion face their arch-enemy, the evil penguin Feathers McGraw.

From BBC

"Today’s young women know that neurotic isn’t cute. Cute isn’t cute. Neither is flustered, madcap, zany, flighty, flaky, harried or hapless - all adjectives that apply to Bridget."

From BBC

For the junior running back/linebacker, it was deja vu as he left Crenshaw’s defense hapless as the Cougars trailed behind him for two first-half touchdown runs.

From Los Angeles Times

Written in the form of a personal diary, the novels chronicle the life of a hapless 30-something single working woman living in London.

From BBC

Related Words

• unlucky
• woeful