How to pronounce unfortunate
Say it like un-FOR-chuh-nut. Unfortunate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unfortunate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- FOR
- chuh
- nut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unfortunate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- chuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of unfortunate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: un-FAW-chuh-nit.
What does unfortunate mean?
- not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune“an unfortunate turn of events”“an unfortunate decision”
- not auspicious; boding ill
- unsuitable or regrettable“an unfortunate choice of words”“an unfortunate speech”
- a person who suffers misfortune
Where does unfortunate come from?
From un- + fortunate, doublet of infortunate.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying unfortunate
How do you pronounce unfortunate?
Say un-FOR-chuh-nut. The American pronunciation is /ənˈfɔrtʃənət/. In British English it is /ʌnˈfɔːtʃənɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unfortunate?
Unfortunate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR). Broken into parts: un · FOR · chuh · nut.
Is unfortunate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ʌnˈfɔːtʃənɪt/ (un-FAW-chuh-nit).