Where does “unfortunately” come from?
Unfortunately derives from English unfortunate, which combines English un- and fortunate, from Latin fortuna meaning chance or fate, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- meaning to carry or bear.
unfortunately (English): Happening through bad luck, or because of some...
Definitions
- Happening through bad luck, or because of some...
Ancestry of “unfortunately”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | fortunately | In a fortunate manner; It is fortunate that |
| 2 | English | fortunate | Auspicious; Happening by good luck or favorable... |
| 3 | Latin | fortūnātus | — |
| 4 | Latin | fortuno | I make happy, prosper; I bless |
| 5 | Latin | fortūna | — |
| 6 | Latin | fōrs | luck, chance |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | fortis | luck, chance |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰértis | the act of carrying, bearing |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰer- | to bear, carry |