different between unfortunately vs regrettable

English

Etymology

unfortunate +? -ly

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?n?f??tj?n?tli/, /?n?f??t???n?tli/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?n?f??t???n?tli/
• Hyphenation: un?for?tu?nate?ly

Adverb

unfortunately (comparative more unfortunately, superlative most unfortunately)

1. Happening through bad luck, or because of some unfortunate event.

2. Used (as a parenthetical word) to express disappointment, compassion, sorrow, regret or grief.

   • Unfortunately, the uproar awoke Mr. Jones, who sprang out of bed, making sure that there was a fox in the yard.

Synonyms

• (through bad luck): unluckily
• (parenthetical word): alas, regrettably, sadly, sad to say

Antonyms

• (through bad luck): fortunately, luckily

Translations

English

Etymology

regret +? -able

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -?t?b?l

Adjective

regrettable (comparative more regrettable, superlative most regrettable)

1. Able to be regretted, especially deserving of regret.
   • 1991 May 12, "Kidnapped!" Jeeves and Wooster, Series 2, Episode 5:

     Jeeves: Foreign travel often liberates emotions best kept in check, sir. The air of North America is notoriously stimulating in this regard, as witness the regrettable behavior of its inhabitants in 1776.
     B. Wooster: Hm? What happened in 1776, Jeeves?
     Jeeves: I prefer not to dwell on it, if it's convenient to you, sir.

Related terms

• regret
• regrettably
• regretter
• regretful
• regretfulness
• regretfully

Translations

See also

• pitiful

French

Etymology

regretter +? -able

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.???.tabl/

Adjective

regrettable (plural regrettables)

1. unfortunate, regrettable

   Synonym: dommage

References

• “regrettable” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).