What does infelicitous mean?
Infelicitous is a formal adjective meaning unfortunate, ill-timed, or inappropriate, especially in a way that creates awkwardness or embarrassment. It is often applied to remarks, choices of words, decisions, and moments: an infelicitous joke may offend, while an infelicitous announcement may disrupt an important occasion. The word conveys more than simply being unlucky; it suggests that timing, wording, or suitability was poor, and that the result was conspicuously awkward. Its negative sense contrasts with felicitous, meaning fortunate or well chosen. Infelicitous is especially common in formal writing, criticism, and discussion of language and public speaking, where it can describe anything from a tactless comment to a poorly judged decision.
adjectiveUnfortunate or ill-timed, especially in a way that causes embarrassment or awkwardness. It can also describe a choice, remark, or action that is inappropriate or unsuitable.
- Unfortunate or ill-timed, often in a way that causes embarrassment.
- Inappropriate, unsuitable, or awkwardly chosen, especially of a remark or course of action.
"The chairman made an infelicitous remark that unintentionally offended the guests."
"The announcement was made at an infelicitous time, just as the negotiations were reaching a delicate stage."
"Her infelicitous choice of examples made an otherwise persuasive argument difficult to follow."
From Latin infelix, meaning unhappy or unlucky, infelicitous describes the fate of words that arrive at exactly the wrong moment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does infelicitous come from?
Infelicitous comes from Latin infelix, meaning unhappy, unlucky, or ill-fated. Its development in English follows the pattern of adding a negative prefix to a Latin stem, producing the sense of unfortunate or ill-suited. The related word felicitous comes from the positive Latin felix, meaning happy or fortunate, and the contrast between the two words reflects their shared root.
Related word forms
How infelicitous is actually used
The word is formal and somewhat literary. It is commonly used for remarks, choices, timing, and circumstances that are unfortunate or tactless, rather than for prolonged bad luck.
Easily confused with infelicitous
Infelicitous means unfortunate, inappropriate, or ill-timed, whereas felicitous means fortunate, well-chosen, or especially appropriate.
Infelicitous often emphasizes an unfortunate or inappropriate circumstance or choice, while inept more directly describes a lack of skill or competence.