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Misfortune Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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misfortune

[mɪsˈfɔː.tʃuːn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

bad luck

Misfortune refers to bad luck or unfortunate events that happen to someone.

Synonyms

bad luck, hardship, unfortunate events.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misfortune

Appropriate for formal or neutral contexts when referring to an unlucky set of circumstances or accidents.

  • She had the misfortune of losing her job right before the holidays
  • Despite his misfortunes, he managed to keep a positive outlook
bad luck

Suitable for casual or informal contexts, particularly when speaking about unlucky moments or outcomes.

  • He had bad luck and missed the bus this morning
  • That was just bad luck, don't worry about it
unfortunate events

Best used when referring to a series of negative occurrences, often in a narrative or storytelling context.

  • A series of unfortunate events led to the downfall of the company
  • It was a story filled with unfortunate events that captivated the audience
hardship

Used in situations emphasizing difficulty, suffering, or adverse conditions, often over a prolonged period.

  • They faced many hardships during the war
  • Financial hardship has been a constant struggle for her family

Examples of usage

  • She has experienced a lot of misfortune in her life.
  • It was just a stroke of misfortune that caused the accident.
Context #2 | Noun

tragic events

Misfortune can also refer to tragic events or calamities that befall someone.

Synonyms

adversity, calamity, tragedy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misfortune

Used to describe a specific instance or event of bad luck. Not always extremely severe, but still unfortunate.

  • She had the misfortune of losing her job right before the holidays.
  • It was just a stroke of misfortune that caused the car accident.
tragedy

Used to describe an event that results in great sadness, often involving severe loss or sorrow, and sometimes used in dramatic storytelling or literature.

  • The sudden death of the young athlete was a tragedy.
  • Shakespeare's plays often depict human suffering and tragedy.
calamity

Describes a disastrous event that causes widespread damage or distress. It is more severe and overwhelming.

  • The earthquake was a calamity that affected thousands of people.
  • The economic recession proved to be a calamity for small businesses.
adversity

Typically refers to a prolonged period of challenges or difficulties that one has to overcome. Often used in motivational or inspirational contexts.

  • He faced much adversity in his life but always remained positive.
  • Overcoming adversity is often a key theme in success stories.

Examples of usage

  • The family has been struck by misfortune after misfortune.
  • The misfortune of losing a loved one is hard to bear.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In literature, misfortune often serves as a key plot point, driving characters into conflict or growth.
  • Famous tragic heroes like Shakespeare's Macbeth experience misfortune that leads to their downfall.

Psychology

  • Experiences of misfortune can impact mental health, leading to feelings of depression or anxiety.
  • The concept of learned helplessness explains how repeated misfortunes can make people feel they have no control over their lives.

Pop Culture

  • Misfortune is a common theme in many movies, like in the film 'Final Destination' where characters try to escape their bad fate.
  • The comic strip 'Peanuts' often features Charlie Brown, whose life is riddled with misfortune, bringing humor from his struggles.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have debated the nature of misfortune, asking whether it is a fundamental part of the human experience.
  • Existentialists suggest that how we respond to misfortune can define our character and purpose.

Origin of 'misfortune'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Old French 'mesfortune', which means 'bad luck' or 'bad fate'.
  • It is made up of 'mis-', meaning 'wrong' or 'bad', and 'fortune', which refers to chance or luck.

The word 'misfortune' originated from the combination of 'mis-' meaning bad or wrong, and 'fortune' meaning chance or luck. It has been used in the English language since the late 14th century to describe bad luck or unfortunate events.

See also: fortunate, fortunately, misfortunes.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,085 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.