felicitous

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adjective fe·lic·i·tous \ fi-ˈli-sə-təs \

Definition of felicitous

1 :very well suited or expressed :apt

a felicitous remark

handled the delicate matter in a most felicitous manner

2 :pleasant, delightful

felicitous weather

The ride through the countryside is a felicitous journey for city people.

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felicitously

adverb

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felicitousness

noun

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felicitous was our Word of the Day on 07/05/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of felicitous in a Sentence

a felicitous combination of flavors
a felicitous accompaniment to dinner is provided by a harpist on weekends at the restaurant

Recent Examples of felicitous from the Web

Three artists with new shows in Seattle galleries provide some felicitous examples.

— michael upchurch, The Seattle Times, "Review: Landscapes that escape boundaries are at 2 Seattle galleries," 9 June 2017
There may be no more felicitous local marriage of the classic Texas barbecue rib and Asian flavors than in Sai’s Thai BBQ ribs ($21.88).

— andrew marton, star-telegram.com, "Sai Fine Asian Bistro does its cuisine to a ‘T’," 23 May 2017
This was abetted by many fine moments from the orchestra, including a solemn overture, agitated strings representing thunder, the moment of judgment itself (from horns) and felicitous exchanges of two violins from across the stage.

— alan artner, chicagotribune.com, "Music of the Baroque revisits Telemann's 'Judgment'," 16 May 2017
Conaway also has a gift for the felicitous analogy.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "They Sure Did Pick a Couple of Super Sleuths to Replace Devin Nunes," 6 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'felicitous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The adjective felicitous has been a part of our language since the late 18th century, but felicity, the noun meaning "great happiness," and later, "aptness," was around even in Middle English (as felicite, a borrowing from Anglo-French). Both words ultimately derive from the Latin adjective felix, meaning "fruitful" or "happy." The connection between happy and felicitous continues today in that both words can mean "notably fitting, effective, or well adapted." Happy typically suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate (as in "a happy choice of words"), and felicitous often implies an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful (as in "a felicitous phrase").

First Known Use of felicitous

1789

felicitous Synonyms

Synonyms

agreeable, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, pleasant, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty, welcome

Antonyms

disagreeable, pleasureless, unpalatable, unpleasant, unwelcome

Near Antonyms

abominable, ghastly, god-awful, hellish, horrid, miserable, wretched; bilious, disgusting, distasteful, obnoxious, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revulsive, unsavory, vile, yucky (also yukky); abhorrent, detestable, hateful, odious; boring, commonplace, dull, flat, insipid, irksome, stale, tedious; displeasing, dissatisfying; depressing, disheartening, dismal, dreary, gloomy, heartbreaking, heartrending, joyless, lachrymose, sad, unhappy; deplorable, doleful, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, regrettable, sorrowful, tragic (also tragical); aggravating, annoying, exasperating, irritating, peeving, perturbing, vexing; forbidding; hostile, intimidating; angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming (also enflaming), infuriating, maddening, outraging, rankling, riling; distressing, disturbing, upsetting

Synonym Discussion of felicitous

fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action.

- fit for battle

suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands.

- clothes suitable for camping

meet suggests a just proportioning.

- meet payment

proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.

- proper acknowledgement

appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness.

- an appropriate gift

fitting implies harmony of mood or tone.

- a fitting end

apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination.

- apt quotations

happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate.

- a happy choice of words

felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful.

- a felicitous phrase

FELICITOUS Defined for English Language Learners

felicitous

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adjective

Definition of felicitous for English Language Learners

: very well suited for some purpose or situation

Learn More about felicitous

See words that rhyme with felicitous Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for felicitous Spanish Central: Translation of felicitous Nglish: Translation of felicitous for Spanish speakers

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felicitous

Definition of felicitous

felicitously

felicitousness

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felicitous was our Word of the Day on 07/05/2016. Hear the podcast!

Examples of felicitous in a Sentence

Recent Examples of felicitous from the Web

Did You Know?

First Known Use of felicitous

felicitous Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of felicitous

FELICITOUS Defined for English Language Learners

felicitous

Definition of felicitous for English Language Learners

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