Nearby Words

unfortunates

[uhn-fawr-chuh-nit] Origin

un·for·tu·nate

[uhn-fawr-chuh-nit]
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.

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Unfortunates is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.

Origin:
1520–30; un-1 + fortunate

un·for·tu·nate·ly, adverb
un·for·tu·nate·ness, noun


1. unsuccessful, hapless.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

unfortunate
1520s, "unlucky," from un- (1) "not" + fortunate. 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 1630s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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