unfortunate

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ʌnˈfɔɹ.t͡ʃə.nɪt/ UK /ʌnˈfɔː.t͡ʃə.nɪt/ See IPA manual

Freq #4042

Meanings

1

adj
Unlucky, or caused by bad luck.

It was an unfortunate accident that no one could have prevented.
2

adj
Regrettable; not suitable and likely to cause problems.

That was an unfortunate choice of words.
3

noun
An unlucky person, especially one in difficult circumstances.

The charity provides shelter for the unfortunates of the city.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · unlucky, or caused by bad... unlucky

3 noun · an unlucky person,... unfortunate person

Word family

Forms unfortunates

Derived forms unfortunately

Related forms deplorable infelicitous regrettable unsuitable

Etymology

From un- + fortunate, doublet of infortunate.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# unfortunate

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ʌnˈfɔɹ.t͡ʃə.nɪt/
**IPA (UK):** /ʌnˈfɔː.t͡ʃə.nɪt/
**Frequency rank:** 4042

## Meanings
1. Unlucky, or caused by bad luck.
2. Regrettable; not suitable and likely to cause problems.
3. An unlucky person, especially one in difficult circumstances.

## Examples
- It was an unfortunate accident that no one could have prevented.
- That was an unfortunate choice of words.
- The charity provides shelter for the unfortunates of the city.

## Derived Forms
- unfortunately

## Related Forms
- deplorable
- infelicitous
- regrettable
- unsuitable

## Etymology
From un- + fortunate, doublet of infortunate.

## AI Etymology
Unfortunate is from un- + fortunate, doublet of infortunate. The surface analysis is un- + fortunate, doublet of infortunate. The prefix un- supplies the negative or reversive element. In present-day use, it can mean unlucky, or caused by bad luck, or regrettable; not suitable and likely to cause problems. Derived formations include unfortunately.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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