Cool MateBad luck vs Misfortune
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Bad luck
Top 2,000 (common)
Misfortune
Top 3,000 (common)B1noun
Most common: Bad luck
| Bad luck | Misfortune | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //bæd lʌk//🇺🇸 //bæd lʌk// | 🇬🇧 //mɪsˈfɔːtʃuːn//🇺🇸 //mɪsˈfɔrˌtʃun// |
| Meaning | A situation where things go wrong unexpectedly. | Bad luck or an unfortunate event. |
| Example | It was just bad luck that I missed the bus this morning. | His misfortune struck when he lost his job unexpectedly. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | bring bad luck, have bad luck, bad luck charm, face bad luck, experience bad luck | face misfortune, suffer misfortune, a stroke of misfortune |
| Antonyms | - | fortune, luck, prosperity |
| Common mistakes | 'Bad luck' is often confused with 'bad fortune'; 'bad luck' is more informal., Some learners use it in a positive situation, but it only describes negative outcomes., It's incorrectly used to describe predictable failures; it refers to unexpected misfortunes. | Confused with 'misfortunes'—remember 'misfortune' is singular., Overused in casual contexts—more common in formal writing or speech., Mispronounced—ensure correct stress on the second syllable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'bad luck' to describe unfortunate situations. It can be used casually among friends but is understood in more formal contexts as well. | Use 'misfortune' to refer to bad situations, often with a sense of sympathy. It's more formal than 'bad luck'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Bad luck vs Misfortune
What's the difference between Bad luck and Misfortune?
Bad luck: A situation where things go wrong unexpectedly. Misfortune: Bad luck or an unfortunate event.
Which is more common: Bad luck and Misfortune?
Bad luck is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Bad luck: It was just bad luck that I missed the bus this morning. Misfortune: His misfortune struck when he lost his job unexpectedly.
Can I use Bad luck and Misfortune interchangeably?
Not always. Bad luck and Misfortune are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.