Not successful; not producing the desired event; not fortunate; meeting with, or resulting in, failure; unlucky; unhappy
Someone who is unsuccessful does not achieve what they intended to achieve, especially in their career. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is that successful people put into practice the things they learn He and his friend Boris were unsuccessful in getting a job. successful. not having a successful result or not achieving what you wanted to achieve
failing to accomplish an intended result; "an abortive revolt"; "a stillborn plot to assassinate the President"
Something that is unsuccessful does not achieve what it was intended to achieve. His efforts were unsuccessful. a second unsuccessful operation on his knee There were reports last month of unsuccessful negotiations between guerrillas and commanders. successful + unsuccessfully un·suc·cess·ful·ly He has been trying unsuccessfully to sell the business in one piece since early last year. successfully