Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

unfortunate

 - 3 dictionary results

un⋅for⋅tu⋅nate

  [uhn-fawr-chuh-nit]
Use unfortunate in a Sentence
–adjective
1. suffering from bad luck: an unfortunate person.
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
6. an unfortunate person.
Origin:
1520–30; un- 1 + fortunate

Related forms:
un⋅for⋅tu⋅nate⋅ly, adverb
un⋅for⋅tu⋅nate⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. unsuccessful, hapless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To unfortunate
un·for·tu·nate   (ŭn-fôr'chə-nĭt)   
adj.  

  1. Characterized by undeserved bad luck; unlucky.

  2. Causing misfortune; disastrous.

  3. Regrettable; deplorable: an unfortunate lack of good manners.

n.  A victim of bad luck.
un·for'tu·nate·ly adv., un·for'tu·nate·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean marked by, affected by, or promising bad fortune: an unfortunate turn of events; a hapless victim; an ill-fated business venture; an ill-starred romance; a luckless suitor; an unlucky accident.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

unfortunate  (adj.)
1530, "unlucky," from un- (1) "not" + pp. of fortunate (see fortune). In late 18c.-early 19c., unfortunate woman was a polite way to say "prostitute." The noun meaning "one who is not fortunate" is recorded from 1638. Unfortunately is attested from 1548, originally "not successfully, to a regrettable extent." The proper meaning is now rare; the main modern sense of "sad to say" is first recorded 1706 in parenthetical or detached use.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see unfortunate on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way