Unfortunately Meaning and Definition
Unfortunately
Pronunciation
/ʉnˈfɔrtʃəntli/
Part of Speech
Adverb
Definition
A term used to express regret, discontent, or unfavorable circumstances.
Examples
1. “Unfortunately, the weather forecast predicts rain for the entire week.”
2. “Unfortunately, the flight was cancelled due to technical issues.”
Synonyms
1. Regrettably
2. Sadly
3. Unfortunately
Antonyms
1. Fortunately
2. Happily
3. Positively
Additional Information
Unfortunately is an adverb commonly used to express disappointment, regret, or unfavorable circumstances. It is often used in business and formal communication to convey negative information in a tactful manner. Unfortunately can also be used in everyday conversation to express sympathy or understanding, such as “Sorry, I’m running late” or “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it to the meeting.” In some cases, unfortunately can have a negative impact on a person’s emotional state, so it’s essential to use it thoughtfully and considerately. Unfortunately has been in use since the 15th century and has evolved over time to encompass various shades of meaning. In modern language, unfortunately is widely used in formal and informal communication, including business, education, and social media. Unfortunately can be used in various contexts, such as expressing regret, apologizing, or conveying bad news. Unfortunately is often used in combination with other words or phrases to convey a more nuanced meaning, such as “Unfortunately, but not surprisingly” or “Unfortunately, it’s not possible.” Unfortunately has become an integral part of modern language, and its usage continues to evolve with the changing needs of communication.
Unfortunately is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, including:
Expressing regret or disappointment
Conveying bad news or unfavorable circumstances
Apologizing or showing sympathy
Expressing a negative opinion or attitude
Conveying a sense of inevitability or fate
Unfortunately can be used in various combinations with other words or phrases to convey a more nuanced meaning, such as:
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly
Unfortunately, it’s not possible
Unfortunately, but I’ll try my best
Unfortunately, I’m afraid that’s not true
Etymology
Unfortunately originated from the Old French word “enfortuné,” which means “unlucky” or “unfortunate.” The word has evolved over time to encompass various shades of meaning, including regret, disappointment, and unfavorable circumstances.
Usage Notes
Unfortunately is an adverb that should be used thoughtfully and considerately to avoid causing unnecessary distress or offense. It’s essential to use unfortunately in context and consider the audience and purpose of the communication. Unfortunately can be used in various contexts, including formal and informal communication, business, education, and social media.
Cultural References
Unfortunately has been referenced in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music. For example, in the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the character Nick Carraway uses the word unfortunately to express regret and disappointment. In the film “The Shawshank Redemption,” the character Red uses the word unfortunately to convey a sense of hopelessness and despair.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Unfortunately is often used in idiomatic expressions or phrases, such as:
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly
Unfortunately, it’s not possible
Unfortunately, I’m afraid that’s not true
Unfortunately, but I’ll try my best
Collocations
Unfortunately is often used in combination with other words or phrases to convey a more nuanced meaning, such as:
Unfortunately, but not surprisingly
Unfortunately, it’s not possible
Unfortunately, I’m afraid that’s not true
Unfortunately, but I’ll try my best
Frequency of Use
Unfortunately is a widely used word in modern language, and its frequency of use continues to evolve with the changing needs of communication. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, unfortunately is used in approximately 1.4% of all written texts.
Common Misspellings
Unfortunately is often misspelled as “unfortunatly” or “unfortunatly.” It’s essential to use the correct spelling to avoid confusion and ensure that the meaning is conveyed accurately.