fortunate

adjective

for·​tu·​nate ˈfȯrch-nət 

ˈfȯr-chə-

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

• fluky
• flukey
• fortuitous
• happy
• heaven-sent
• lucky
• providential

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

There being the smile that crosses anyone’s face when fortunate enough to be in the same room, or even in just giving a passing thought to that voice, that presence, and all the different ways in which Staples embodies righteousness. —Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024

Being fortunate to be located in such a strategic region, Michael and his team, which includes head winemaker Jeremiah Timm, combine the excellent fruits of nature with the finest winemaking techniques to create two signature product lines: CIRQ and CHEV. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024

Once again, Crutzen stressed how fortunate humanity had been so far. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024

The Warriors were fortunate to be in that position after Curry was held to five points and Thompson went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in the opening half. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024

If a person is fortunate to be diagnosed and receive adequate treatment, relapses are common and full recovery can be elusive. —Cole Kazdin, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024

Winn wasn’t so fortunate the following inning, recording two quick outs before Harold Ramirez reached when Nick Ahmed wasn’t able to convert his soft chopper to shortstop. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

The sheriff’s office said its staff feels fortunate to know Jenneiahn and looks forward to finding a way to honor her at a later date. —Andrea Olson, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2024

But in some ways, Bragg had started to get his footing, delivering on some of his campaign promises to take on the powerful and help the less fortunate. —Michael Rothfeld Emily Woo Zeller Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fortunate

• consider oneself lucky/fortunate

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