jinx

To supposedly spoil a good situation by saying confidently that things are going well or will go well.

• Don't jinx it by saying we'll win.
• I said the journey was easy and immediately jinxed it.
• Have we jinxed our chances by celebrating too soon?

Similar words: tempt fate

Common phrases: don't jinx it, jinx our chances, jinx the result

To bring bad luck to a person, event, or activity.

• That shirt always jinxes us.
• He thought his presence had jinxed the team.
• Don't bring that unlucky hat; you'll jinx the game.

Similar words: curse, bring bad luck to

Common phrases: jinx the team, jinx someone's chances, jinx the game

To put a magic spell on someone or something, usually to cause harm.

• The witch jinxed the door.
• A wizard had jinxed the ring before hiding it.
• Can she jinx someone just by looking at them?

Similar words: curse, hex, bewitch

Opposites: bless

Common phrases: jinx someone, jinx the door, jinx an object

To make something happen, supposedly because you mentioned it, often said as a joke.

• I mentioned rain and jinxed it.
• You said the phone would ring, and you jinxed it!
• She joked that I had jinxed the weather by mentioning storms.

Common phrases: jinx it, jinx the weather, jinx something again

A person or thing believed to bring bad luck.

• That hat is a jinx.
• They called me a jinx after we lost again.
• Is this old car a jinx on our family?

How to use it: be a jinx on someone/something (That shirt seems to be a jinx on our team.)

Similar words: bad luck charm

Opposites: lucky charm

Common phrases: a terrible jinx, jinx on someone, a real jinx

A magic spell believed to make bad things happen to someone.

• The witch cast a jinx.
• They searched for a way to break the jinx.
• He believed an evil jinx had ruined his crops.

How to use it: a jinx on someone/something (The witch placed a jinx on the village.)

Similar words: curse, hex

Opposites: blessing

Common phrases: cast a jinx, break a jinx, an evil jinx

Said playfully when two people say the same words at the same time.

• "Jinx!" she shouted when we both said "pizza."
• We answered together, and he laughed, "Jinx!"
• "Jinx! You owe me a soda," my sister said.

Similar words: snap

Common phrases: jinx, you owe, jinx, same words