Misfortune
/mɪsˈfɔːrtʃən/
Definitions
An instance of bad luck; an unfortunate event or circumstance.
/mɪsˈfɔːrtʃən/
An unfortunate event or circumstance.
Losing my wallet was a minor misfortune.
💡 Simply: Imagine you planned a perfect picnic, but then it started raining and you forgot the sandwiches! That's a misfortune. It’s something bad that happens, often unexpectedly.
👶 For kids: When something bad or sad happens to you.
More Examples
The family struggled to overcome their misfortunes.
Despite the misfortune of the accident, everyone was safe.
How It's Used
"The company suffered a series of financial misfortunes."
"Local residents described the misfortune of losing their homes to the fire."
Idioms & expressions
turn of misfortune
A sudden change for the worse.
"After years of success, the company experienced a sudden turn of misfortune."
meet with misfortune
To experience bad luck or an unfortunate event.
"The explorer met with misfortune during his journey across the desert."
From Middle English, from Old French mesaventure (bad luck), from mes- (bad, wrong) + aventure (chance, luck).
The word 'misfortune' has been in use since the 14th century, initially reflecting the effects of chance or fate in bringing about adversity. Shakespeare used the word frequently.
Memory tip
Think of it as the opposite of good fortune: bad fortune or a bad event.
Word Origin
"bad luck"