Hapless — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈha-pləs/ hap·less

Meaning & Definition of Hapless

Hapless (adjective)

  1. having no luck, unfortunate

Hapless (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having, prone to, or marked by bad luck

    "the hapless motorist had barely paid his bill and driven away from the body shop when a truck sideswiped his car"

    similar: hard-luck, ill-fated, ill-starred, jinxed, luckless, snakebit, star-crossed, unfortunate, unhappy, unlucky
    related: adverse, ill, inauspicious, unfavorable, unpromising, untoward, calamitous, catastrophic, disastrous, accursed, damned, doomed, tragic
    opposite: fortunate, happy, lucky
    near: blessed, favored, gifted, privileged, auspicious, fair, favorable, golden, promising, propitious

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hapless

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hapless:

hard-luck, ill-fated, ill-starred, jinxed, luckless, snakebit, star-crossed, unfortunate, unhappy, unlucky

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hapless

Words with the opposite meaning of Hapless:

fortunate, happy, lucky

Related Words for Hapless

adverse, ill, inauspicious, unfavorable, unpromising, untoward, calamitous, catastrophic, disastrous, accursed, damned, doomed, tragic

Near Antonyms of Hapless

blessed, favored, gifted, privileged, auspicious, fair, favorable, golden, promising, propitious

Word Forms of Hapless

Derived words: haplessly (adverb), haplessness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Hapless

Middle English happelesse, from happe "luck, fortune, hap:1" + -lesse -less

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Hapless

What does "Hapless" mean?

"Hapless" means having no luck, unfortunate. As an adjective, it is defined as: having no luck, unfortunate.

What is another word for "Hapless"?

Other words for "Hapless" include hard-luck, ill-fated, ill-starred, jinxed, luckless, snakebit, star-crossed and unfortunate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hapless" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hapless"?

There are 23 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hapless". Common alternatives include hard-luck, ill-fated, ill-starred, jinxed, luckless, snakebit, star-crossed, unfortunate, unhappy and unlucky.

What is the opposite of "Hapless"?

Antonyms of "Hapless" include fortunate, happy and lucky. Near antonyms include blessed, favored, gifted and privileged.

How do you use "Hapless" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hapless" in a sentence: "the hapless motorist had barely paid his bill and driven away from the body shop when a truck sideswiped his car".

Is "Hapless" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hapless" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Hapless"?

"Hapless" is pronounced /ˈha-pləs/ and divided into syllables as hap·less.

What is the origin of the word "Hapless"?

"Hapless" comes from Middle English happelesse, from happe "luck, fortune, hap:1" + -lesse -less. First known use: 14th century.