What does "unfortunate" mean?

1. (unlucky) having bad luck or happening because of bad luck. 2. (regrettable or unsuitable) describing a choice, comment, or action that was a mistake or not appropriate. 3. (an unlucky person) a person who has very bad luck or lives in difficult conditions.

How do you use "unfortunate"?

Often used as a collective noun with 'the' to refer to a group of people.

unfortunate

adj. · n.

US //ənˈfɔɹtʃənət// UK //ʌnfˈɔːtʃənət// un·for·tu·nate

1 unlucky (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

having bad luck or happening because of bad luck.

not favoured by fortune; marked by or resulting from misfortune.

Example

It was unfortunate that the rain started just as the picnic began.

Example

The company suffered an unfortunate series of financial setbacks just as they were preparing to launch their most ambitious product line.
- unlucky
- hapless
- ill fated
- fortunate
- lucky
2 regrettable or unsuitable (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

describing a choice, comment, or action that was a mistake or not appropriate.

regrettable, inappropriate, or tactless in nature.

Example

The minister made an unfortunate remark about the local community.

Example

The CEO's choice of words during the press conference was highly unfortunate, leading to a significant drop in the firm's share price.
- appropriate
- fitting

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 an unlucky person (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Literary

a person who has very bad luck or lives in difficult conditions.

a person who has fallen into bad circumstances or suffers from persistent ill-fortune.

Example

The charity provides food and shelter for the unfortunates of the city.

Example

The novel focuses on the lives of various unfortunates who were cast out of society during the industrial revolution.

Usage

Often used as a collective noun with 'the' to refer to a group of people.
- victim
- wretch

Origin

From un- + fortunate, doublet of infortunate.

Word family

Adjectiveunfortunate
Adverbunfortunately