Infelicitous

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˌɪn.fəˈlɪs.ɪ.tÉ™s/, /ˌɪn.fɪˈlɪs.ɪ.tÉ™s/, /ˌɪn.fÉ›lˈɪs.ɪ.tÉ™s/
• US IPA: /ˌɪn.fəˈlɪs.ɪ.tÉ™s/, /ˌɪn.fəˈlɪs.É™.tÉ™s/

Origin

From - + felicitous.

Full definition of infelicitous

Adjective

1. Unhappy or unfortunate.
• 1973, Bret Harte, "A Boy's Dog" in Mrs. Skaggs's Husbands and Other Sketches:If leading a "dog's life" be considered a peculiar phase of human misery, the life of a Boys' Dog is still more infelicitous.
2. Inappropriate or awkward; not well said, expressed, or done.
• 1909, William MacLeod Raine, Ridgway of Montana, ch. 24:"Now, you've got just grounds for shooting me," he said gaily, and instantly regretted his infelicitous remark.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• infelicitously
• infelicitousness