Dictionary monolingual
English
Unfortunate
ˌənˈfɔrtʃ(ə)nət
Very common
~ 2100
~ 2100
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Unfortunate -
Having bad luck or unfortunate circumstances
Example: It's unfortunate that the flight got canceled due to bad weather.
Usage: formalContext: professional settings, academic writing
Note: This meaning is commonly used to express sympathy or empathy towards someone's misfortune.
Regrettable or undesirable
Example: It's unfortunate that we couldn't meet the deadline for the project.
Usage: formalContext: business meetings, official correspondence
Note: This meaning is often used in formal contexts to convey disappointment or dissatisfaction.
Unlucky or having bad consequences
Example: It was unfortunate that he missed the winning shot in the game.
Usage: informalContext: casual conversations, storytelling
Note: This meaning is more commonly used in everyday conversations to describe events with negative outcomes.
Unfortunate's synonyms
unlucky
Unlucky refers to lacking good fortune or luck in a particular situation.
Example: She's been quite unlucky in her job search lately.
Note: Unlucky specifically focuses on the absence of luck or fortune, while unfortunate has a broader connotation of something causing distress or pity.
sad
Sad implies a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness due to a disappointing situation.
Example: It's sad that they couldn't attend the wedding due to unforeseen circumstances.
Note: Sad emphasizes the emotional aspect of the situation, while unfortunate is more neutral and can encompass a wider range of negative circumstances.
tragic
Tragic describes a situation that is extremely sad or distressing, often involving serious consequences.
Example: The sudden loss of her father was a tragic event for the family.
Note: Tragic carries a stronger sense of severity and often implies a sense of inevitability or fate, while unfortunate is more general in nature.
regrettable
Regrettable suggests that a situation is deserving of regret or disappointment.
Example: The cancellation of the concert was regrettable for the fans who had been looking forward to it.
Note: Regrettable implies a sense of disappointment or a feeling of missed opportunity, while unfortunate is more about the negative impact of a situation.
Unfortunate expressions, common phrases
It's a pity
This phrase is used to express regret or disappointment about a situation.
Example: It's a pity that she missed the bus.
Note: Similar to 'unfortunate,' but 'pity' often implies sympathy or sadness towards the situation.
What a shame
This phrase is used to express disapproval or disappointment about something unfortunate.
Example: What a shame that the concert got canceled.
Note: Similar to 'unfortunate,' but 'shame' adds a sense of disappointment or disapproval.
Bad luck
This phrase is used to refer to unfortunate or unlucky circumstances.
Example: It's bad luck that it started raining during our picnic.
Note: While 'unfortunate' is more general, 'bad luck' specifically refers to unlucky occurrences.
Such a setback
This phrase is used to describe a significant obstacle or reversal of progress.
Example: Losing the funding was such a setback for the project.
Note: While 'unfortunate' is broad, 'setback' implies a hindrance to progress or success.
Hard luck
This phrase is used to describe a string of unfortunate events or circumstances.
Example: He faced hard luck when his car broke down on the way to the interview.
Note: Similar to 'unfortunate,' but 'hard luck' emphasizes a series of unfortunate events.
Stroke of bad luck
This phrase is used to describe a sudden and unexpected misfortune.
Example: It was a stroke of bad luck that he missed his flight due to traffic.
Note: While 'unfortunate' is a general term, 'stroke of bad luck' highlights a sudden and unexpected event.
Ill-fated
This phrase is used to describe something destined to end in failure or tragedy.
Example: Their ill-fated attempt to climb the mountain ended in disaster.
Note: Unlike 'unfortunate,' 'ill-fated' suggests a sense of destiny or preordained failure.
Unfortunate everyday (slang) expressions
Bummer
Bummer is used to describe something unfortunate or disappointing.
Example: It's always a bummer when it rains on a picnic day.
Note: Bummer has a more casual and slangy feel compared to 'unfortunate'.
Tough break
Tough break refers to a difficult or unfortunate situation.
Example: Losing the game in the last minute was a tough break for the team.
Note: Tough break emphasizes the challenging aspect of the situation more than 'unfortunate'.
Rough patch
Rough patch is used to describe a period of difficulty or misfortune.
Example: They've been going through a rough patch since the start of the project.
Note: Rough patch suggests a temporary period of hardship rather than a single unfortunate event.
No luck
No luck indicates a lack of success or fortune in a given situation.
Example: I've been applying to jobs all week, but no luck so far.
Note: No luck highlights the absence of positive outcomes rather than the general concept of being unfortunate.
Down on your luck
Down on your luck means experiencing a period of bad fortune or misfortune.
Example: Ever since he lost his job, he's been feeling down on his luck.
Note: Down on your luck focuses on the state of continuously facing unfortunate circumstances.
Lousy
Lousy is used to describe something bad, poor, or of low quality.
Example: The lousy weather ruined our plans for a beach day.
Note: Lousy conveys a sense of something being unpleasant or unfortunate, often in a more negative tone than 'unfortunate'.
Sucks
Sucks is an informal term used to express dissatisfaction or disappointment with a situation.
Example: Missing the train again really sucks.
Note: Sucks is a colloquial way to convey that something is highly unfortunate or displeasing.
Unfortunate - Examples
Unfortunate events led to the cancellation of the concert.
It's unfortunate that we can't meet in person.
The unfortunate accident left him with a broken leg.
Unfortunate grammar
Unfortunate - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: unfortunate
Conjugations
Adjective (Adjective): unfortunate
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): unfortunates
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): unfortunate
Syllables, Separation and Stress
unfortunate Contains 4 syllables: un • for • tu • nate
Phonetic transcription: ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
un for tu nate , ˌən ˈfȯrch nət (The red syllable is stressed)
Unfortunate - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
unfortunate: ~ 2100 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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