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Hapless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hapless

[ˈhapləs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

unfortunate

Deserving or inciting pity. Marked by unfortunate fate. Unlucky, luckless, unfortunate, ill-starred, ill-fated, ill-omened, cursed, wretched, miserable.

Synonyms

ill-fated, ill-omened, ill-starred, unfortunate, unlucky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hapless

Used to describe someone who is unlucky and suffering in a way that evokes sympathy.

  • The hapless traveler lost his wallet and missed his flight.
  • She pitied the hapless orphan.
unlucky

Describes a person or situation frequently experiencing or characterized by bad luck.

  • He was unlucky in finding a parking spot.
  • She's always unlucky; she lost her keys again.
unfortunate

Describes someone who has been affected by bad luck, often in an empathetic way.

  • His unfortunate cousin got into an accident.
  • It's unfortunate that the picnic was rained out.
ill-starred

Used when something or someone is plagued with bad luck or destined for misfortune.

  • The ill-starred ship sank in the storm.
  • Their ill-starred business venture quickly went bankrupt.
ill-fated

Refers to a person or event destined to fail or meet a disastrous end.

  • Their ill-fated expedition ended in tragedy.
  • The ill-fated love affair left both of them heartbroken.
ill-omened

Describes something that is seen as a bad sign or harbinger of bad luck.

  • The ill-omened crow cawed ominously from the tree.
  • An ill-omened silence fell over the room.

Examples of usage

  • She always had a hapless expression on her face.
  • The hapless victims of the disaster were left homeless and destitute.
  • The hapless hero met a tragic end in the story.
  • The hapless team lost yet another game.
  • Despite their best efforts, the hapless situation seemed to only worsen.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Charles Dickens's works, hapless characters often find themselves in dire situations through no fault of their own, highlighting social issues.
  • Shakespeare used hapless protagonists to evoke sympathy and showcase the unpredictability of fate, as seen in tragedies like 'Romeo and Juliet.'

Cultural References

  • In popular culture, hapless characters like Mr. Bean are celebrated for their ability to continually find humor in their misfortunes.
  • Haplessness often serves as a comedic trope in sitcoms, where characters experience embarrassing situations due to bad luck.

Psychology

  • Research in victimology explores how individuals perceived as hapless can evoke empathy, highlighting the human predisposition towards helping the unfortunate.
  • The concept of learned helplessness indicates that repeated failures can lead individuals to feel more hapless, affecting their motivation and actions.

Movies and Media

  • Films like 'Groundhog Day' feature hapless characters who must navigate the consequences of their choices, often leading to humorous outcomes.
  • Animated series like 'Adventure Time' often portray hapless characters in bizarre scenarios, eliciting both laughter and empathy from the audience.

Origin of 'hapless'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from Middle English 'haples,' meaning unlucky or unfortunate, derived from 'hap,' meaning chance or luck.
  • The root 'hap' is related to the Old Norse word 'happ,' which also refers to a chance or event, indicating that luck is often a factor in misfortunes.

The word 'hapless' originated from the Old English word 'hæp', meaning luck or chance. Over time, it evolved to 'hapless' to describe someone who is unlucky or unfortunate. The term has been used in English literature for centuries to depict characters who face constant misfortune or tragedy.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,830, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.