unhappy English · revision 10326

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 1300}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ʌnˈhæpi/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[un-]] and [[happy]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) or from Middle English unhap, misfortune, mishap (from Old Norse úhapp; see [[hap]]) with the suffix -y.^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Causing misfortune or trouble to oneself or others: before 1300 in the OED, about 1300 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of persons, unfortunate, unlucky, ill-fated, is from 1375 (the late 14th century),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the sense miserable, wretched, at first through misfortune, not cheerful, is also by the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Of things, associated with or causing misfortune, it is from about 1386,^(OED 1989) and inauspicious from 1533.^(OED 1989) Unsuccessful, apt to make mistakes, is from 1651.^(OED 1989) Not satisfied, displeased, and unsuitable or tactless, as ''an unhappy choice of words'', are further modern senses.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) A verb unhappy, to make unhappy, from the late 16th century, is long archaic.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1300 – causing misfortune.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1375 – unlucky.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – miserable.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1386 – bringing misfortune.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1651 – unsuccessful.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Not happy or joyful; [[sad]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Not satisfied; displeased or discontented.^(AHD)

+ # Unfortunate or unlucky.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Not suitable; tactless: ''an unhappy remark''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[unhappily]]

+ * [[unhappiness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[happy]]

+ * [[hap]]

+ * [[mishap]]

+ * [[happen]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}