unsuccessful

Everyday

Unsuccessful means not achieving what was wanted or planned; failing. tree →

In the lessons

In school and everyday life: «an unsuccessful attempt», «unsuccessful experiment». In maths problems it counts failures: «7 of the 10 tries were unsuccessful». In formal letters: «we regret that your application was unsuccessful».

Examples

• My first try at the high jump was unsuccessful. tree →
• The search for the lost cat was unsuccessful. tree →
• Out of 12 shots, 5 were unsuccessful. tree →
• The experiment was unsuccessful, so we changed the method. tree →
• Her application for the job was unsuccessful. tree →
• After several unsuccessful attempts, he finally whistled. tree →
• All the King’s unsuccessful rivals had gone home in despair. tree →

Note

Spelling: un + successful (two «c», two «s», one «l» at the end). Adverb: unsuccessfully. In maths: unsuccessful tries = total tries − successful tries.

In Jewish tradition

In school and everyday life: «an unsuccessful attempt», «unsuccessful experiment». In maths problems it counts failures: «7 of the 10 tries were unsuccessful». In formal letters: «we regret that your application was unsuccessful».

Examples

• But every attempt to unfold this mystery has hitherto been unsuccessful". (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Spelling: un + successful (two «c», two «s», one «l» at the end). Adverb: unsuccessfully. In maths: unsuccessful tries = total tries − successful tries.