unfortunate

1 of 2

adjective

un·​for·​tu·​nate

ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət, 

-ˈfȯr-chə- 

1

a

: not favored by fortune : unsuccessful, unlucky

an unfortunate young man

b

: marked or accompanied by or resulting in misfortune

an unfortunate decision

an unfortunate experience/result

2

a

: infelicitous, unsuitable

an unfortunate choice of words

b

: deplorable, regrettable

an unfortunate lack of taste

unfortunate

2 of 2

noun

literary : an unfortunate person

a group of poor unfortunates

Synonyms of unfortunate

Adjective

• disastrous
• fatal
• catastrophic

Examples of unfortunate in a Sentence

Adjective

She was unfortunate enough to have been chosen as an example.

an unfortunate chain of events

It's unfortunate that he couldn't be here for your birthday.

He has an unfortunate tendency to show up late.

an unfortunate choice of words

Noun

a group of poor unfortunates

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This isn’t an issue on its face, until considered alongside the unfortunate reality that trolls have been out for this show since its premiere because TROP dared center a badass Galadriel and cast non-white actors. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2026

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is hoping to end an unfortunate streak Sunday against the Falcons. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2026

Noun

The human beings are not freely dispersed around the central figure of God, in this panel, but ranked in strict tiers from the lowest unfortunates to the highest saints. — Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026

Hundreds of unfortunates—hikers, climbers, skiers, snowboarders—die in the Austrian Alps each year, but these fatalities rarely result in criminal charges. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unfortunate

• importunate
• fortunate

Kids Definition

unfortunate

1 of 2 adjective

un·​for·​tu·​nate ˌən-ˈfȯrch-(ə-)nət 

1

a

: not fortunate : unlucky

b

: showing, accompanied by, or resulting in misfortune

an unfortunate experience

unfortunate investments

2

a

: unsuitable, infelicitous

an unfortunate choice of words

b

: deplorable sense 1

an unfortunate lack of taste

unfortunately adverb

unfortunate

2 of 2 noun

: an unfortunate person