unsuccessful
/ˌʌnsəkˈsɛsfl̩/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Meaning · English
Failed, not successful.
Adjective
Examples
His unsuccessful attempt earned him sympathy, condolences, and an occasional good-natured ribbing.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “unsuccessful” mean?
Failed, not successful.
Is “unsuccessful” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.