What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misfortunate
Example
The misfortunate man lost his job, his house, and his car all in the same month. [misfortunate: adjective]
Example
It was a misfortunate turn of events that led to the cancellation of the concert. [misfortunate: noun]
unfortunate
Example
It's unfortunate that we missed the train by just a few minutes. [unfortunate: adjective]
Example
The unfortunate victim of the accident was rushed to the hospital. [unfortunate: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unfortunate is more commonly used than misfortunate in everyday language. Unfortunate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while misfortunate is less common and may be perceived as more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misfortunate and unfortunate?
Unfortunate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while misfortunate is less common and may be perceived as more formal.
