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unhappy

A2
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʌnhˈæpi/

US

  • /ənˈhæpi/

Description

Being unhappy is not just feeling sad for a moment. It is a state of feeling bad, disappointed, or not pleased with your life or with a situation. Think of a little lost puppy separated from its mother - that puppy is likely unhappy. But the feeling can be quieter too. Maybe you are not satisfied with your job, or things did not go well with a friend. It is something everyone feels at times, and it often shows that something is wrong or needs to change. Sometimes people hide this feeling behind a smile, but real contentment is the opposite.

Examples

  1. 1

    Family change

    Maya was unhappy when her brother moved to another city.

  2. 2

    Childhood

    He had an unhappy childhood and rarely talked about it.

  3. 3

    School life

    She's been unhappy at school since the bullying started.

    • Pattern

      unhappy at school/home/work

      not happy in that place or situation

  4. 4

    Complaint

    I'm unhappy with the way this problem was handled.

    • Pattern

      unhappy with + decision/action/result

      not satisfied with it

  5. 5

    Local rules

    Many residents are unhappy about the new parking rules.

    • Pattern

      unhappy about + issue/change

      upset or dissatisfied because of it

  6. 6

    Workplace

    The manager was unhappy that no one had warned him earlier.

    • Pattern

      unhappy that + clause

      upset because something happened or is true

  7. 7

    Careful wording

    He said he was not unhappy with the final offer.

    • Usage

      "not unhappy" often means fairly satisfied, said in a careful way

Forms and spellings

3 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • unhappyadjective

Forms

  • unhappiestsuperlativeadjective
  • unhappiercomparativeadjective