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 fortunate young writers and artists on that list were gifted an eight-month residency in this gorgeous coastal Massachusetts town, more like a village in the winter months, especially back then. —Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026

The fortunate timing of the scandal’s emergence in April, rather than later summer, exposed how vulnerable the primary system would be if such allegations surfaced after the June primary, underscoring the need for structural reforms. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

The Cubs were fortunate to have the bumbling Mets in town at the right time, and cruised to their third straight win behind home runs from Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Happ. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Another March 26 drawing in Missouri proved fortunate for another player who won his second jackpot in two years. —Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 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