The difference between Unfortunate and Unsuccessful

When used as adjectives, unfortunate means not favored by fortune, whereas unsuccessful means failed, not successful.


Unfortunate is also noun with the meaning: an unlucky person.

check bellow for the other definitions of Unfortunate and Unsuccessful

  1. Unfortunate as an adjective:

    not favored by fortune

  2. Unfortunate as an adjective:

    marked or accompanied by or resulting in misfortune

  1. Unfortunate as a noun:

    An unlucky person; one who has fallen into bad circumstances.

  1. Unsuccessful as an adjective:

    Failed, not successful.

    Examples:

    "His unsuccessful attempt earned him sympathy, condolences, and an occasional good-natured ribbing."