What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hapless
Example
The hapless victim of the robbery was left with nothing. [hapless: adjective]
Example
He felt hapless as he watched his car being towed away. [hapless: adjective]
unlucky
Example
She's been unlucky in love lately, going through a string of bad relationships. [unlucky: adjective]
Example
It was an unlucky day for him when he missed his flight and lost his luggage. [unlucky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unlucky is more commonly used than hapless in everyday language. Unlucky is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hapless is less common and refers to a more serious or dire situation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hapless and unlucky?
Both hapless and unlucky are relatively informal words, but hapless may be seen as more formal due to its less common usage and more specific connotation.
