Unfortunate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unfortunate

[ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənət ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

unlucky

Having or marked by bad fortune; unlucky.

Synonyms

hapless, hard luck, ill-fated, unlucky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unfortunate	General term used to describe someone or something experiencing bad luck or negative outcomes. It was unfortunate that the picnic was canceled due to rain. They had an unfortunate series of events during their trip.
unlucky	General term used to describe someone or something that consistently experiences bad outcomes or lacks good fortune. He’s an unlucky gambler, always losing his bets. It was unlucky that the power went out just before the big game.
ill-fated	Indicates that something is destined to end badly, often used in a dramatic or historical context. The ill-fated ship sank on its maiden voyage. Their ill-fated romance was doomed from the start.
hapless	Describes someone who is unlucky and often experiences misfortune. Often used to evoke sympathy or pity. The hapless traveler lost his passport and missed his flight. The hapless student failed the test despite studying all night.
hard luck	Used to express sympathy for someone’s difficult situation, often in British English. He missed out on the job by just a few points – hard luck! She had some hard luck with her car breaking down twice in a week.

Examples of usage

She felt unfortunate that she lost her job during the pandemic.
It was unfortunate that the weather ruined their outdoor event.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

regrettable

Deserving or inciting pity; regrettable; unfortunate circumstances.

Synonyms

deplorable, pitiful, regrettable, sad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unfortunate	Again used in a general context, similar to its previous usage. Repetition here suggests it's commonly used to describe anything that’s disappointing. Losing the match in the last minute was unfortunate
regrettable	Used in a formal context to describe something that one wishes had not happened, especially in retrospect. The decision to close the factory was regrettable, as it affected many workers
deplorable	Used to describe something extremely bad and deserving strong condemnation. This word has a very negative connotation. The living conditions in the slum were deplorable
sad	Used in an emotional context to describe feelings of sorrow or disappointment. It is a very common term with a straightforward meaning. It was sad to hear about their sudden breakup
pitiful	Used when describing something or someone deserving pity, often suggesting weakness or inadequacy. It can have a slightly condescending tone. The stray dog looked pitiful as it searched for food in the garbage

Examples of usage

It is unfortunate that she didn't get the job after all her hard work.
The unfortunate incident could have been avoided with better communication.

Translations

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

Origin of 'unfortunate'

The word 'unfortunate' originated from the Latin word 'unfortunatus', which means luckless. It has been used in the English language since the late 14th century. The term has evolved to describe situations or events that bring bad luck or cause distress. Over time, 'unfortunate' has become a common adjective to express sympathy or empathy towards someone facing adversity or hardship.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,326, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4323 guilt
4324 valuation
4325 adequately
4326 unfortunate
4327 convey
4328 pitch
4329 static
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