How to Use 'Unfortunately' Correctly: Meaning & Examples

Meaning 1：regrettably (unfortunately)

unfortunately 🔊

/ʌnˈfɔːrtʃənətli/

adv.

Used to introduce bad news or express that something is disappointing or not as hoped.

Illustration of the word unfortunately: a person disappointed by rainy weather, showing regret.

regrettably 🔊

➕

/rɪˈɡretəbli/

adv.

An adverb used to express disappointment or sadness about a situation, often introducing an undesirable fact or outcome.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Un-' (not) + 'fortunate' (lucky, from Latin 'fortuna') + '-ly' (adverb suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'UN-FORTUNE-ate-ly'. It's like saying an event was not (un) full of fortune (lucky). The word 'fortune' is hidden inside.

📖 Example

We had planned a picnic, but unfortunately, it started to rain and we had to cancel. 🔊 We had planned a picnic, but regrettably, it started to rain and we had to cancel.

🔗 Collocations

unfortunately for (someone) – Used to specify who is affected by the unfortunate situation

unfortunately not – A polite way to give a negative answer to a hopeful question

unfortunately so – Used to confirm that a negative situation is true

🔄 Synonyms

regrettably (adv.) – Used to express that something is a cause for regret or disappointment.

alas (interj./adv.) – A more formal or literary word expressing sorrow, grief, or pity.

sadly (adv.) – In a manner that causes sorrow or disappointment.

🚫 Antonyms

fortunately (adv.) – Used to introduce a desirable or positive piece of information.

luckily (adv.) – By good luck or fortune.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from the Latin 'fortuna', meaning luck or chance. The prefix 'un-' negates the 'fortunate' (lucky) part, forming a word that literally means 'not luckily'. It entered English in the mid-16th century and is frequently used in formal apologies, news reports, and everyday speech to soften the delivery of negative information.