jinx

plural jinxes

1. A hex; an evil spell.

   Synonyms: curse, hoodoo, Indian sign, spell

2. A person or thing supposed to bring bad luck.

present singular third person jinxes · participle present jinxing · participle past jinxed · past jinxed

1. transitiveTo cast a spell on.

   Synonyms: bewitch, hex, maleficiate, bechat, becry, beglammer, bespell, bewitch

2. transitiveTo bring bad luck to.
3. transitiveTo cause something to happen by mentioning it. Often used sarcastically.

   “So you'll all be near New York!” Maggie says. “We don't know for sure yet.” Sara stresses. “Don't jinx it.”

   2008, Susane Colasanti, chapter 46, in When It Happens, Penguin, →ISBN

   1 more example

   I've no idea if she guessed what I was intending to do. I don't know why I was so reluctant to talk about it, even to her. Maybe I was afraid that verbalising my intentions would jinx it in some way.

   2012, Sally Heinrich, Hungry Ghosts, Hachette UK, →ISBN

4. transitiveTo cause a bad outcome through verbal expression of certainty about a good situation or result. See knocking on wood, which is supposed to mitigate this effect.

1. Used after the same thing is said by two people simultaneously.

   Bart: I'm telling Mom and Dad! / Lisa: You're telling who? / Bart: Mom and Dad! / Girls: MOM AND DAD? JINX! / Janey Powell: Now you can't talk, 'til somebody says your name!

   1991, Robert Cohen, “Flaming Moe's”, in The Simpsons, season 3, episode 10 (television production)

   Synonyms: snap