serendipitous
adjective
ser·en·dip·i·tous
ˌser-ən-ˈdi-pə-təs 
: obtained or characterized by serendipity
serendipitous discoveries
serendipitously
adverb
Examples of serendipitous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If so, perhaps Enceladus is a microcosm of the universe: a serendipitous combination of tidal heating and radioactivity.
—
Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023
The couple’s baby came at a serendipitous time — the day of the Super Bowl on Feb. 12, 2023.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023
The world’s poor would no longer need to rely on serendipitous discoveries of a dual-use drug.
—Christopher B. Barrett, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2023
By Alice Park October 5, 2023 2:31 PM EDT
There’s been a surge in demand for a class of diabetes drugs that are now popular for their serendipitous byproduct: weight loss.
—Alice Park, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
The original band’s success, in his view, was less about genius than serendipitous timing.
—Steve Smith, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2023
In a moment of serendipitous timing, Blenders found out that Sanders — recently named the coach at Colorado — was hunting an eyewear deal.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Film festivals are often elevated by moments of serendipitous discovery.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Instead of a serendipitous smile, though, Harris received the cold shoulder from her colleague.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2023
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Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023
The couple’s baby came at a serendipitous time — the day of the Super Bowl on Feb. 12, 2023.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023
The world’s poor would no longer need to rely on serendipitous discoveries of a dual-use drug.
—Christopher B. Barrett, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2023
By Alice Park October 5, 2023 2:31 PM EDT
There’s been a surge in demand for a class of diabetes drugs that are now popular for their serendipitous byproduct: weight loss.
—Alice Park, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
The original band’s success, in his view, was less about genius than serendipitous timing.
—Steve Smith, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2023
In a moment of serendipitous timing, Blenders found out that Sanders — recently named the coach at Colorado — was hunting an eyewear deal.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Film festivals are often elevated by moments of serendipitous discovery.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Instead of a serendipitous smile, though, Harris received the cold shoulder from her colleague.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serendipitous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near serendipitous
Cite this Entry
“Serendipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipitous. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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