fortunate

adjective

for·​tu·​nate ˈfȯr-chə-nət 

ˈfȯrch-nət

1

: bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain : auspicious

made a fortunate investment

2

: receiving some unexpected good

How fortunate we are to get such a nice room!

fortunateness noun

Synonyms

• fluky
• flukey
• fortuitous
• happy
• heaven-sent
• lucky
• providential

Choose the Right Synonym for fortunate

lucky, fortunate, happy, providential mean meeting with unforeseen success.

lucky stresses the role of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond what one deserves.

fortunate in my investments

happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

Examples of fortunate in a Sentence

How fortunate we were to find that restaurant!

We should try to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kendall Jenner may be able to afford $890 flip-flops, but most of us are not so fortunate. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 7 June 2025

Illinois is fortunate to have many outstanding public schools, from suburban standouts like New Trier to top-tier magnets like Walter Payton College Prep. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025

While the child and the other rescuer made it out of the water uninjured, Smiley wasn't as fortunate and got caught up in the current. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 June 2025

That's fortunate, but at the time of this story's release, Dallas and Parsons' camp don't seem to be signing an extension today or tomorrow. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fortunate

• consider oneself lucky/fortunate

Rhymes for fortunate

• importunate
• unfortunate

Kids Definition

fortunate

adjective

for·​tu·​nate ˈfȯrch-(ə-)nət 

1

: coming or happening by good luck : bringing good that was not expected

2

: receiving some unexpected or unearned good : lucky

fortunateness noun