Words / B1

mis-FORCH-oon/ˌmɪsˈfɔːtʃuːn/

Misfortune is bad luck, or an unlucky event. Fortune is the opposite root; accident is more specific. Exam boards: misfortune on the day is not automatic extra time — you apply for special consideration.

Meaning

Bad luck, or an unlucky event.

Examples

• “His misfortune on the day of the exam is not automatic extra time.”
• “A misfortune is not the same as malpractice; only one is a candidate’s fault.”

Good to know

misfortune; a misfortune. Everyday: bad luck. Exams: special consideration. Countable for one event. Not “misfortunate” (use unfortunate).

Near in meaning

bad luck

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