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

Assistant coroner Kirsten Heaven told the inquest it was “unfortunate” that there wasn’t more detailed evidence, photography and forensic analysis of the area.

From BBC

Tom Ogden wrote an indie-pop anthem about the incident, then dedicated their fifth album to the unfortunate inanimate ape.

From BBC

One executive with the competitor, Partners Personnel, wrote in March 2021 that Mr. Perez’s run-ins with the law had the “potential to significantly disrupt your operations” and put “an unfortunate stain on the staffing industry.”

From New York Times

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

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

Related Words

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