Unsuccessful

Pronunciation: /ˌʌnsəkˈsɛsfəl/

Definitions of unsuccessful

adjective describing someone or something that did not achieve the desired outcome or success

Example Sentences

A1 She was unsuccessful in finding her lost keys.

A2 The team's attempt to score a goal was unsuccessful.

B1 Despite her best efforts, the project was ultimately unsuccessful.

B2 The company's new product launch was deemed unsuccessful by critics.

C1 The negotiations between the two countries were largely unsuccessful.

C2 The author's latest novel was met with critical acclaim, despite being unsuccessful in terms of sales.

Examples of unsuccessful in a Sentence

formal The company's attempt to expand into the international market was unsuccessful.

informal I tried to fix my computer but was unsuccessful.

slang I totally bombed that test, it was so unsuccessful.

figurative His efforts to win her over were unsuccessful, like trying to catch a falling star.

Grammatical Forms of unsuccessful

• past tense: unsuccessful
• plural: unsuccessfuls
• comparative: less successful
• superlative: least successful
• present tense: unsuccessful
• future tense: will be unsuccessful
• perfect tense: has been unsuccessful
• continuous tense: is being unsuccessful
• singular: unsuccessful
• positive degree: successful
• infinitive: to be unsuccessful
• gerund: unsuccessfully
• participle: unsuccessful

Origin and Evolution of unsuccessful

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'unsuccessful' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'successful', which comes from the Latin word 'successus' meaning 'an advance, a coming up; a good result, happy outcome'

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'unsuccessful' has retained its original meaning of not achieving success or a desired outcome. Its usage has become more common in modern English to describe a lack of success in various endeavors.