Unhappy means feeling sad, dissatisfied, or discontented. When you're unhappy, something isn't right: maybe you're disappointed about missing a friend's birthday party, frustrated that your science project didn't work out, or upset about an argument with a sibling.

Being unhappy is different from just feeling a little disappointed. It's a deeper feeling that can last for hours, days, or even longer. You might feel unhappy about a specific situation, like getting a lower grade than you hoped for, or you might feel generally unhappy without one clear reason.

The word can describe temporary feelings or longer situations. A student might be unhappy during a boring assembly but feel fine afterward. Someone might also be unhappy with a decision they made, meaning they regret it or wish they'd chosen differently. When a friend seems quiet and withdrawn, they might be unhappy about something they haven't shared yet.

Notice that unhappy doesn't always mean the same as miserable or devastated. It covers a range of feelings from mildly dissatisfied to genuinely sad. Everyone feels unhappy sometimes, and these feelings can point us toward problems we need to solve or situations we need to change.