hapless
/ˈhæplɪs/
Group 31Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Unfortunate; unlucky GRE
Example in Context
The hapless tourist, who had left her passport at the hotel, was turned away at the border crossing and had to retrace her steps.
Synonyms
unluckyunfortunateill-fated
Etymology
Without luck — a person who is always in unfortunate situations.
- hap- (Old Norse) — luck
- less (Old English) — without
Memory Aid
😩Sounds like “hap-less”
A hapless clown who trips over his own feet and spills pies everywhere — he's HAPLESS!
Visual Association
🎭A clown slipping on a banana peel, surrounded by broken props and sad children.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “hapless” mean on the GRE?
hapless (adjective) means “Unfortunate; unlucky”. The hapless tourist, who had left her passport at the hotel, was turned away at the border crossing and had to retrace her steps.
How to remember “hapless” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “hapless” sounds like “hap-less”. A hapless clown who trips over his own feet and spills pies everywhere — he's HAPLESS!
What are synonyms for “hapless”?
Common synonyms: unlucky, unfortunate, ill-fated.