Synonyms of fortunate

fortunate

adjective

ˈfȯrch-nət 

1

as in happy

coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly

in a fortunate turn of events, the motel had one last vacancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• happy
• lucky
• convenient
• fortuitous
• coincidental
• favorable
• providential
• unexpected
• flukey
• promising
• fluky
• heaven-sent
• chance
• hopeful
• timely
• opportune
• beneficial
• bright
• unforeseen
• seasonable
• encouraging
• accidental
• good
• benign
• propitious
• advantageous
• auspicious
• serendipitous
• profitable
• heartening
• unlooked-for
• fair
• golden
• halcyon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfortunate
• unhappy
• unlucky
• hapless
• luckless
• expected
• anticipated
• untimely
• inconvenient
• foreseen
• intentional
• inopportune
• unseasonable
• deliberate
• planned
• ill-fated
• ill-starred
• star-crossed
• disastrous
• catastrophic
• inauspicious
• unpromising
• calamitous

2

as in lucky

having good luck

rabbits' feet are seen as making the carrier of them fortunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lucky
• happy
• privileged
• gifted
• blessed
• favored
• promising
• blest
• golden
• hot
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfortunate
• unlucky
• unhappy
• hapless
• luckless
• disadvantaged
• cursed
• snakebitten
• ill-fated
• snakebit
• ill-starred
• star-crossed
• curst

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

Happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fortunate

Adjusted for exit speed/launch angle, all five members have been at least a bit fortunate to date. —Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Dear Eric: My partner and I (35 years) are fortunate to have multiple residences. —Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025

Most of us have been fortunate enough to avoid seeing human injury or death in the wake of an accident. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025

However, other parties involved in a bribery scheme — like those who offer to pay the president — may not be so fortunate. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025