Synonyms of fortunate

fortunate

adjective

ˈfȯrch-nət 

1

as in lucky

coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

having good luck

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Then, when Lent ended right before Easter, the eggs would be distributed to the Church and the less fortunate, or eaten in celebration of the holiday. —Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 31 Mar. 2026

India is in the fortunate position of a demographic dividend that may last for several more decades. —John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026

Because Vance was only intended as a recurring role, Carroll feels especially fortunate to have played him for so long. —Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026

Very fortunate to play with a group of guys like this. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026