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

And ice cream lovers are very fortunate this place – a vital piece of drive-in restaurant history – is still around. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

When everyone is healthy — or if the Avs are fortunate enough to get everyone healthy together — the forward group should be downright terrifying. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026

Every car person should drive—and if fortunate, own—a 911 at least once in his or her life. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026

Hensle is fortunate to have talented teammates who soak up most of the attention from opposing teams. —Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026