unfortunately

English Online Dictionary. What means unfortunately‎? What does unfortunately mean?

English

Etymology

From unfortunate +‎ -ly or un- +‎ fortunately.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ʌnˈfɔːtjʊnətli/, /ʌnˈfɔːt͡ʃənətli/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ʌnˈfɔɹt͡ʃənɪtli/, /ʌnˈfɔɹt͡ʃnɪtli/, [ʌnˈfɔɹt͡ʃnɪʔli]
• (General American, weak vowel merger) IPA^(key): /ʌnˈfɔɹt͡ʃənətli/, /ʌnˈfɔɹt͡ʃnətli/, [ʌnˈfɔɹt͡ʃnəʔli]
• Hyphenation: un‧for‧tu‧nate‧ly

Adverb

unfortunately (comparative more unfortunately, superlative most unfortunately)

1. Happening through bad luck, or because of some unfortunate event.

2. Used (as a parenthetical word) to express disappointment, compassion, sorrow, regret, or grief.

Synonyms

• (through bad luck): unluckily
• (parenthetical word): alas, regrettably, sadly, sad to say

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of “through bad luck”): fortunately, luckily

Translations