fortunate

adjective

for·​tu·​nate ˈfȯr-chə-nət 

ˈfȯrch-nət

1

: bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain : auspicious

made a fortunate investment

2

: receiving some unexpected good

How fortunate we are to get such a nice room!

fortunateness noun

Synonyms of fortunate

• lucky
• happy

Choose the Right Synonym for fortunate

lucky, fortunate, happy, providential mean meeting with unforeseen success.

lucky stresses the role of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond what one deserves.

fortunate in my investments

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

a series of happy accidents

providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

Examples of fortunate in a Sentence

How fortunate we were to find that restaurant!

We should try to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Recent Examples on the Web

His manifest talent, plus a web of fortunate connections, soon carried him to London’s Royal College of Music, where seasonal Messiahs all over the British map were his bread and butter. —Matthew Gurewitsch, Air Mail, 13 Dec. 2025

What more fortunate situation could there be, for a person, than to be glad of having been wrong? —John Darnielle, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025

Most of the men recover quickly, but Jerrell Teague (Elijah Collins) isn’t as fortunate. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025

Not many 19th century women were fortunate to find love and happiness with not one but two distinguished husbands. —Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fortunate

• consider oneself lucky/fortunate

Rhymes for fortunate

• importunate
• unfortunate

Kids Definition

fortunate

adjective

for·​tu·​nate ˈfȯrch-(ə-)nət 

1

: coming or happening by good luck : bringing good that was not expected

2

: receiving some unexpected or unearned good : lucky

fortunateness noun