# jinx

Pronunciation: say "JINGKS" /d͡ʒɪŋks/

## Verb

1. To spoil a hoped-for outcome by speaking of it too soon, as if mentioning it could make things go wrong; often said half in jest.
   - Simple: To spoil something by talking about it before it happens.
   - _Nobody in the dugout would mention the no-hitter in case they jinxed it._
   - _Don't talk about the promotion yet; you'll jinx it._
3. To bring bad luck to someone or something, as if by casting a spell or curse on them.
   - Simple: To bring bad luck to someone or something, like a curse.
   - _The players were convinced the rookie had jinxed the whole season._
   - _Some sailors still refuse to whistle on deck for fear it will jinx the voyage._

## Noun

2. An evil spell cast on someone or something.
   - Simple: An evil magic spell put on someone or something.
   - _The healer claimed she could lift the jinx that had ruined his business._
   - _Locals swore the abandoned mill had been under a jinx since the miller's death._
4. A person or thing believed to bring bad luck.
   - Simple: A person or thing that people think brings bad luck.
   - _After three storms in a week, the crew came to regard the new cook as a jinx._
   - _Fans began calling the rivals' stadium a jinx after their team lost there six years in a row._

## Interjection

5. Used as a playful call by someone who has just said the same thing as another person at the same moment.
   - Simple: Said when two people say the same thing at the same time.
   - _"Let's just stay home," they said together, and Maya was first to shout, "Jinx!"_
   - _Both twins answered "Nope" at once, then pointed at each other and cried, "Jinx!"_

## Origin

From jynx, in the transferred sense “a charm or spell”.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/jinx (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).