Hapless
/ˈhæp.ləs/noun
Unfortunate or unlucky; having bad luck.
Did you know?In Middle English, 'hap' meant 'luck' or 'chance', connecting this word to ancient beliefs about fate and fortune being influenced by supernatural forces.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
hæp
“Chance or luck, often with a sense of fate.”
Middle English
ME
haples
“Unfortunate, literally 'without hap'.”
14th Century
Middle English
hap
“Good fortune, luck; a turning point in fate.”
Modern English
English
hapless
“Describing someone who consistently experiences misfortune.”
Explore more surprising origins