fortune

noun

for·tune | \ ˈfȯr-chən

Definition of fortune

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 often capitalized : a hypothetical force or personified power that unpredictably determines events and issues favorably or unfavorably a country favored by fortune

2 obsolete : accident, incident

3a : prosperity attained partly through luck : success fortune attended the general's campaign

b : luck sense 1

c fortunes plural : the turns and courses of luck accompanying one's progress (as through life) her fortunes varied but she never gave up

4 : destiny, fate can tell your fortune also : a prediction of fortune

5a : riches, wealth a man of fortune

b : a store of material possessions the family fortune

c : a very large sum of money spent a fortune redecorating

fortune

verb

fortuned; fortuning

Definition of fortune (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : to give good or bad fortune to

2 archaic : to endow with a fortune

intransitive verb

archaic : happen, chance

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fortune

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Synonyms & Antonyms for fortune

Synonyms: Noun

future

Antonyms: Noun

past

Examples of fortune in a Sentence

Noun

He hoped to achieve fame and fortune. They had the good fortune to escape injury when their car crashed. The book follows the fortunes of two families through the years.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Many Iranians are seeking better fortunes elsewhere. — Sune Engel Rasmussen, WSJ, "As Iran Marks Its Anniversary, Economic Woes Cloud a Pitch for Unity," 10 Feb. 2019 From Armani’s limited-edition highlighter, which comes emblazoned with the Chinese symbol for good luck and fortune, to Louboutin’s Merlot-hue mascara, housed in a gilded tube, here, a look at 10 beauty products worth celebrating. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "Happy Chinese New Year! 10 Red and Gold Beauty Products for Celebrating the Spring Festival," 2 Feb. 2019 What happened to Captain Chesley Sullenberger III and his crew was a piece of tremendous bad luck, mitigated by a few turns of equally stunning good fortune and a sequence of smart decisions by the captain and his crew. — Allen St. John, Popular Mechanics, "What Went Right: Revisiting Captain "Sully" Sullenberger and the Miracle on the Hudson," 15 Jan. 2019 The agency’s fortunes have long been tied to the structure, which was built in 1953, 11 years after Compass opened in its current location. — Vianna Davila, The Seattle Times, "As the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down, so does a longtime shelter for Seattle’s homeless," 13 Jan. 2019 In a stroke of good fortune, making a jet using a circular opening produces a gas with a parabolic density profile. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Gas jets make beautiful lens for light we can’t normally focus," 21 Dec. 2018 The fortune-teller responded by claiming, falsely, that Malikzada had burned a Koran. — Kiana Hayeri, Glamour, "A Look Inside the First All-Female TV News Station In Afghanistan," 11 Dec. 2018 The Cameroonian kids, who have never been outside their country, were dizzy with excitement as word of their good fortune pinballed around their hilly neighborhood. — Ronnie Polaneczky, Philly.com, "Four Cameroonian teens are 'almost inconsolable' after being denied access to Philly basketball camp | Ronnie Polaneczky," 11 July 2018 The Carpathian mountains have always had a magical air; the region is home to the country’s last shamans, fortune-tellers and soothsayers who carry on an ancient Eurasian tradition. — Linda Kinstler, Longreads, "Angrily Experiencing the Best Days of Our Lives," 27 June 2018

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