unfortunate

[ uhn-fawr-chuh-nit ]

adjective

1. suffering from bad luck:

   an unfortunate person.

   Synonyms: hapless, unsuccessful

2. unfavorable or inauspicious:

   an unfortunate beginning.

3. regrettable or deplorable:

   an unfortunate remark.

4. marked by or inviting misfortune:

   an unfortunate development.

5. lamentable; sad:

   the unfortunate death of her parents.

noun

1. an unfortunate person.

unfortunate

/ ʌnˈfɔːtʃənɪt /

adjective

1. causing or attended by misfortune
2. unlucky, unsuccessful, or unhappy

   an unfortunate character

3. regrettable or unsuitable

   an unfortunate speech

noun

1. an unlucky person

Derived Forms

• unˈfortunateness, noun

Other Words From

• un·fortu·nate·ly adverb
• un·fortu·nate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfortunate¹

First recorded in 1520–30; un- ¹ + fortunate

Example Sentences

“It is unfortunate that these conspiracy theories are muddying the water on an issue where we need a lot of consensus, a lot of clarity,” said Matteo Mirolo, from Breakthrough Energy, and one of the organisers of the COP29 discussion about the contrails.

From BBC

“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this.”

From Los Angeles Times

What they hoped was the famed Lockheed Electra 10E Special, serial number 1055, turned out to be an “unfortunate” geologic formation, according to a company statement.

From Los Angeles Times

But because “Heretic” is a genre movie, there are overwrought visual metaphors, implausible twists and an unfortunate reliance on coincidence.

From Los Angeles Times

Gurney added that the timing of that hangover was unfortunate, given the club's pronounced public relations strategy coming into this season.

From BBC

Related Words

• adverse
• damaging
• deplorable
• disastrous
• inappropriate
• inauspicious
• lamentable
• regrettable
• unlucky
• untoward