Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
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unfortunate

adjective · noun US /ənˈfɔːrtʃənət/

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

How often you will meet it

Rank 1,849 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 9,786 times across 155,370 chapters — 0.005% of every word in the library.

What it means

adjective

  1. not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune an unfortunate turn of eventsan unfortunate decision
  2. not auspicious; boding ill also: inauspicious
  3. unsuitable or regrettable an unfortunate choice of wordsan unfortunate speech

noun

  1. a person who suffers misfortune also: unfortunate person

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

unfortunate in real books

Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.

  • Sundry unfortunate remarks were made containing references to gluttony.

    The Firelight Fairy Book · Henry Beston · Chapter 1

  • I am more impressed by the remark of this unfortunate woman.

    The Lerouge Case · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1

  • No imperfections can be excused in conductors of newspapers; they are not even allowed to be unfortunate.

    The Olden Time Series, Vol. 6 · Henry M. (Henry Mason) Brooks · Chapter 1

  • Her cry was so shrill that the baby boy opened his jaws and let the unfortunate Piccolissima fall on the floor.

    Piccolissima · Adélaïde de Montgolfier · Chapter 1

  • In a few words I told Ascyltos of the robbery, when he joined us, and of our unfortunate love-affairs as well.

    The Satyricon — Volume 01: Introduction · 20-66 Petronius Arbiter · Chapter 1

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