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

After a series of unfortunate eventsand increasingly violent visitations, a media frenzy surrounds them and the Warrens turn up to rid the house of creepy crawlies.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s unfortunate that the final seasons of “Worst Cooks in America” were cloaked in a strange limbo.

From Salon

“It was an unfortunate night for us, you know? It was tough to be a Bruin that night, and we’re gonna move past that and really show you what this team can do moving forward.”

From Los Angeles Times

"The timing of the tax debate, fuelled by a report from think-tank IPPR, is unfortunate given it coincides with a new poll from Lloyds suggesting a rise in business confidence, despite cost pressures," he said.

From BBC

“Chronic absenteeism affects disadvantaged students more often, but the rise in chronic absenteeism was an unfortunate tide where all boats rose,” said Nat Malkus, deputy director of education policy studies at AEI.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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