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

2

a

: infelicitous, unsuitable

an unfortunate choice of words

b

: deplorable, regrettable

an unfortunate lack of taste

unfortunate

2 of 2

noun

: an unfortunate person

Synonyms

Adjective

• calamitous
• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• catastrophic
• damning
• destructive
• disastrous
• fatal
• fateful
• ruinous

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

Leaving it up to individual states has the unfortunate side-effect of effectively guaranteeing an asymmetric distribution of fundamental rights in the US, which is something that the Constitution is supposed to protect us from. —Rafael Perez, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024

But, at times, they can be spotted when the massive voids pull in matter from unfortunate nearby objects. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined above

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