Jinx vs. Jonah: What's the Difference?
By Janet White || Updated on May 20, 2024
"Jinx" refers to something that brings bad luck, while "Jonah" refers to a person who is believed to bring bad luck to others.
Key Differences
"Jinx" is commonly used to describe an object, word, or action believed to cause bad luck or misfortune. This term is often associated with superstition and the idea that mentioning certain things can lead to negative outcomes. "Jonah," on the other hand, originates from the Biblical story of Jonah and the whale. In modern usage, a "Jonah" is someone who is considered to bring bad luck to those around them.
n terms of application, "jinx" can be used in various contexts, such as sports, where mentioning a potential victory might be seen as jinxing the outcome. "Jonah," however, is typically used to describe individuals in a narrative or conversational setting, indicating that their presence is unwelcome due to the perceived bad luck they bring.
While both terms deal with the concept of bad luck, "jinx" is more about the action or object causing it, whereas "Jonah" focuses on a person who brings bad luck to others. This distinction is important in understanding how each term is applied in language and superstition.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Object, word, or action causing bad luck
Person believed to bring bad luck
Origin
Superstition and folklore
Biblical story of Jonah and the whale
ADVERTISEMENT
Usage Context
Various, including sports and casual talk
Describing individuals in a narrative or conversational setting
Type
Inanimate object or action
Person
Connotation
Bad luck due to specific actions
Bad luck associated with a person's presence
Jinx and Jonah Definitions
Jinx
Something or someone thought to bring bad luck.
Breaking a mirror is considered a jinx.
Jonah
A person believed to bring bad luck to others.
Every team he joins seems to lose; he's a real Jonah.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jinx
A curse or hex that causes misfortune.
She thought her career was jinxed after a series of failures.
Jonah
Someone who inadvertently causes trouble.
He's not a bad guy, but he's a Jonah at poker nights.
Jinx
To accidentally bring bad luck by speaking of positive outcomes.
Don't jinx it by saying we’ve won already!
Jonah
A term from the Biblical story signifying bad luck.
Like Jonah, he was blamed for the team's losing streak.
Jinx
A superstition related to bad luck.
There's a jinx on that old house; nobody stays there for long.
Jonah
An unlucky person in a group.
No one wanted to sail with the Jonah on board.
Jinx
A person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck.
Jonah
A reference to someone whose presence is thought to cause misfortune.
They considered him a Jonah because accidents happened whenever he was around.
Jinx
A condition or period of bad luck that appears to have been caused by a specific person or thing.
Jonah
The Hebrew prophet, who was cast overboard as one who endangered the ship; hence, any person whose presence is unpropitious.
Jinx
To bring bad luck to.
Jonah
See Table at Bible.
Jinx
A hex; an evil spell.
Jonah
One thought to bring bad luck.
Jinx
A person or thing supposed to bring bad luck.
Jonah
(Old Testament) Jonah did not wish to become a prophet so God caused a great storm to throw him overboard from a ship; he was saved by being swallowed by a whale that vomited him out onto dry land
Jinx
(transitive) To cast a spell on.
Jonah
A person believed to bring bad luck to those around him
Jinx
(transitive) To bring bad luck to.
Jonah
A book in the Old Testament that tells the story of Jonah and the whale
Jinx
(transitive) To cause something to happen by mentioning it, usually sarcastically.
Jinx
A person, object, influence, or supernatural being which is supposed to bring bad luck or to cause things to go wrong.
Jinx
To bring bad luck to; to cause to malfunction or go wrong; as, some superstitious people are reluctant to predict success for fear it will jinx them.
Jinx
A person believed to bring bad luck to those around him
Jinx
An evil spell;
A witch put a curse on his whole family
He put the whammy on me
Jinx
Cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
Jinx
Foredoom to failure;
This project is jinxed!
Jinx
To bring bad luck to someone or something.
He believes he jinxed the game by talking about their winning streak.
FAQs
What does "jinx" mean?
"Jinx" refers to something that brings bad luck or misfortune.
What does "Jonah" mean?
"Jonah" refers to a person who is believed to bring bad luck to others.
Can a "jinx" be a person?
Yes, a person can be considered a jinx if they are believed to bring bad luck.
Is "jinx" always negative?
Yes, "jinx" typically has a negative connotation related to bad luck.
How do you use "jinx" in a sentence?
e.g., "I don't want to jinx our chances by talking about the outcome."
Can a situation be jinxed?
Yes, situations can be considered jinxed if they repeatedly lead to bad outcomes.
Is "Jonah" used in modern language?
Yes, "Jonah" is still used to describe someone who brings bad luck.
Is "Jonah" specific to any culture?
"Jonah" is primarily a term from Judeo-Christian contexts but is understood broadly.
Can "jinx" be used in sports?
Yes, it's often used to describe actions that might bring bad luck to a team.
Is "Jonah" based on a real story?
"Jonah" comes from the Biblical story of Jonah and the whale.
How do you use "Jonah" in a sentence?
e.g., "He's such a Jonah; we always lose when he's on the team."
Can a "jinx" be broken?
According to superstition, various rituals or actions can break a jinx.
Does "Jonah" imply intentional bad luck?
No, it usually implies unintentional bad luck.
Is "Jonah" used in literature?
Yes, it can be found in literature to describe unlucky characters.
What is a synonym for "jinx"?
Curse, hex, or bad luck.
Is "Jonah" a common term?
"Jonah" is less common but still understood in context.
What is a synonym for "Jonah"?
Jinx, hoodoo, or bad omen.
Does "jinx" have a verb form?
Yes, "to jinx" means to bring bad luck.
Can "jinx" be used humorously?
Yes, "jinx" can be used humorously in casual contexts.
Can you be called a "Jonah" for minor misfortunes?
Yes, even minor misfortunes can lead to someone being called a "Jonah."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
