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adv

unhappily

uhn-HA-pih-lee

Unhappily (adv) means Without happiness; sadly or discontentedly. Example: “She stared unhappily at the exam results.”

adv
1
Without happiness; sadly or discontentedly.
"She stared unhappily at the exam results."
2
Unfortunately; as bad luck would have it.
"Unhappily, the plan fell apart at the last minute."

How to use unhappily

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn a sad way, or (in more formal writing) "unfortunately."

Common pairings
stare unhappily unhappily married unhappily, the

Word forms

more unhappily comparative, most unhappily superlative

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Etymology

From Middle English unhappily, equivalent to un- + happily.

Origin: Middle English

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for unhappily

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Frequently asked questions

What does “unhappily” mean?

The word “unhappily” means without happiness; sadly or discontentedly. In plain terms, in a sad way, or (in more formal writing) "unfortunately.".

How do you pronounce “unhappily”?

“Unhappily” is pronounced uhn-HA-pih-lee (/ʌnˈhæpɪli/ in IPA).

How do you use “unhappily” in a sentence?

Here is “unhappily” used in a sentence: “She stared unhappily at the exam results.”

What is the opposite of “unhappily”?

The opposite of “unhappily” — its antonyms — is happily.

What part of speech is “unhappily”?

“Unhappily” is an adverb.

Where does the word “unhappily” come from?

The word “unhappily” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unhappily, equivalent to un- + happily.

How many meanings does “unhappily” have?

“Unhappily” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: without happiness; sadly or discontentedly.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial