ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unhappy

adj.
US //ənˈhæpi// UK //ʌnhˈæpi// un·hap·py
  1. 1 sad (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    feeling sad or miserable.

    experiencing or showing sadness, sorrow, or misery.

    Example

    She was very unhappy after her best friend moved to another city.

    Example

    The child looked deeply unhappy as he sat alone on the bench, watching the other children play in the distance.
  2. 2 not satisfied (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not pleased or satisfied with something.

    expressing or feeling dissatisfaction or annoyance regarding a specific situation or service.

    Example

    The customers were unhappy with the slow service at the restaurant.

    Example

    Several board members were unhappy with the proposed budget cuts, arguing that they would compromise the quality of the research department.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 unfortunate or unsuitable (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    not lucky or not suitable for a situation.

    unfortunate, ill-chosen, or inappropriate for the circumstances.

    Example

    It was an unhappy accident that the two cars met on such a narrow road.

    Example

    The minister's choice of words was an unhappy one, leading to a significant misunderstanding among the international press corps.
Origin

From Middle English unhappy; equivalent to un- + happy.

© 2026 English Reference