Fortunate
/ˈfɔːrtʃənət/
Definitions
Experiencing good luck or favorable circumstances.
/ˈfɔːrtʃənət/
Having good luck; lucky.
We were fortunate to have such a skilled surgeon.
💡 Simply: Imagine you find a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk! You're fortunate because something good happened to you by chance.
👶 For kids: When something good happens to you by accident, you're fortunate! Like when you find a cool toy you didn't know was there!
More Examples
She felt fortunate to have escaped the accident unharmed.
It was fortunate that we brought an umbrella, as it started to rain soon after.
How It's Used
"I was fortunate enough to get a seat on the packed train."
"The company was fortunate to secure a major contract during the economic downturn."
"He was a fortunate man, blessed with health and wealth."
Idioms & expressions
be fortunate enough to
To have the good luck or opportunity to do something.
"I was fortunate enough to travel to Europe this summer."
as fortune would have it
Used to indicate that something happened by chance or coincidence.
"As fortune would have it, they met at a conference and fell in love."
From Latin *fortunatus* 'prosperous, lucky,' from *fortuna* 'chance, luck.'
The word has been used since the early 15th century, evolving from a more general sense of 'having good luck' to a more specific and nuanced understanding of being in favorable circumstances.
Memory tip
Think of a 'fortune' cookie – if you get a good message, you're fortunate!
Word Origin
"Fortuna - chance, fate, luck"