unfortunately
Americanadverb
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it is unfortunate that.
Unfortunately, our flight was delayed for several hours.
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in a way or to a degree that is unfortunate or unlucky.
The project was unfortunately placed on hold until further notice.
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in a way that is regrettable or unsuitable to the situation.
Thank you for your comment, and I apologize for my unfortunately worded statement.
adverb
Etymology
Origin of unfortunately
First recorded in 1540–50; unfortunate ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
Use unfortunately to describe an event that is unlucky or bad in some way. Unfortunately, life is full of chances to use this word. Someone who's fortunate has good luck. Unfortunately is the adverb form of unfortunate — so unfortunately means "unluckily." If someone asks you whether you have to go to work tomorrow when you'd rather go to the beach, you might answer, "Unfortunately." You might also use unfortunately when you give someone bad news, as in "Unfortunately, we cannot accept your dog to obedience class at this time” or “Unfortunately, you have the flu.”
Vocabulary lists containing unfortunately
Bud, Not Buddy
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List 9
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"Preserving the Rural Environment"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The economic reforms that were proposed by Alexei Kosygin, who initially shared power with Brezhnev, were left, unfortunately, on paper.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
But I unfortunately knew this day was inevitable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
He'd always wanted to join the military like his grandfather and older brothers but unfortunately has a disqualifying heart condition.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
All of it, unfortunately, has been passed down to your pocketbook in one form or another.
From Slate ● Jul. 2, 2026
“And on your journey, unfortunately, you’re going to meet a lot of these broken people who are going to have a hard time with who you are.”
From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
