unfortunate
Americanadjective
-
suffering from bad luck.
an unfortunate person.
- Synonyms:
- hapless, unsuccessful
-
unfavorable or inauspicious.
an unfortunate beginning.
-
regrettable or deplorable.
an unfortunate remark.
-
marked by or inviting misfortune.
an unfortunate development.
-
lamentable; sad.
the unfortunate death of her parents.
noun
adjective
-
causing or attended by misfortune
-
unlucky, unsuccessful, or unhappy
an unfortunate character
-
regrettable or unsuitable
an unfortunate speech
noun
Other Word Forms
- unfortunately adverb
- unfortunateness noun
Etymology
Origin of unfortunate
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.
On October 29, 1892, “An Earnest Appeal” was made in the Spiritualist press seeking donations of money to help “this very unfortunate sister.”
From Literature
That would be terribly unfortunate, as we were just getting to know each other.
From Literature
A few unfortunate servants were tossing fat gold coins into the street, warding off the pixies as best they could.
From Literature
“The unfortunate part is that the retail investors are paying the price for that.”
From MarketWatch
Mayor Karen Bass is among those calling on Wasserman to step down, telling reporters last week that it’s “unfortunate” the LA28 board is supporting him.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
