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 of fortunate

• lucky
• happy

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

The all-conquering Liverpool side of the 1980s were twice fortunate to escape with a 1-1 draw, too. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Shoichiro and Kikuko stood in the storefront watching the doctor leave after making a truly fortunate determination. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Oil workers spent their fat pay cheques on the company of escorts who came to Baku from the less fortunate post-Soviet states. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026

Join a club or a service organization, sign up for a gym or volunteer to help others who are less fortunate. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 July 2026

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