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

Other Word Forms

• unfortunateness noun
• unfortunately adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfortunate¹

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

Example Sentences

"It was unfortunate what happened in Australia with the injury, but I watched him play ridiculous tennis in that tournament," Murray said.

Read more on BBC

It’s an unfortunate talent that has profound power in the era of social media, where the ability to perform often compels people far more than facts.

Read more on Salon

It’s unfortunate that the final season seems more of a chore than a holiday treat for loyal viewers, but by this point, “Stranger Things” appears bulletproof, regardless of quality.

Read more on MarketWatch

It’s unfortunate that the driver of this BMW, the person who accepted such largesse from his relative, wants to be paid $1,500 from a friend who kindly cosigned his loan.

Read more on MarketWatch

“This man had a life and it’s more than likely that whatever that life was has, in some way led to this unfortunate conclusion.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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