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.
“We have to do this because unfortunately we can’t just rely on what a candidate says anymore,” St. Dic says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
“A lot of people who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time unfortunately aren’t able to get into the building,” Hart said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
“It’s up to the states to start tackling this trafficking problem, because unfortunately, you’re not going to have the support of the ATF,” she said.
From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026
"During research I usually come up with many interesting ideas, but unfortunately I still need to sleep, so I can't test everything one by one. AI can finally help free my hands," he says.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
This unfortunately happens all the time, and it’s the number one grievance brought before the village chiefs.
From "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba
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.
