Dictionary

unhappily en · ADV

Pronunciation

• /ʌnˈhæpɪli/
• (US) audio

Etymology

From Middle English onhappily, unhappili, unhappily, unhappyly; equivalent to un- + happily or unhappy + -ly.

Meanings

1. Unfortunately; regrettably.
   • The line to Dunières consists of a series of breakneck descents almost invariably ended by a violent curve and followed immediately by a panting climb, on which the engine barked thunderously but failed unhappily to maintain its booked speed of 13 m.p.h. 1961 November 14, H. G. Ellison, P. G. Barlow, “Journey through France: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 668:
   • Theodore Roosevelt […] added, perhaps unhappily, that he believed the US administration in the Philippines could learn a lot from the Austrian example. 2012, Christopher Clark, The Sleepwalkers, Penguin, published 2013, page 76:
   • The annals of savagery and superstition unhappily compose a large part of human literature. 1918, James George Frazer, Folk-Lore In The Old Testament, volume 1, page xi:
2. Through evil fate or chance; wretchedly.
3. Without happiness; sadly.

Forms

Antonyms

happily