Fortunately
/ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
Definitions
Happening as a result of good luck; luckily.
/ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
Happening or done in a way that is lucky or advantageous.
Fortunately, we had brought umbrellas, so we didn't get wet in the rain.
💡 Simply: It means something good happened by chance or luck! Like, "Fortunately, I found my lost phone under the couch!"
👶 For kids: It means something good happened, like when you find your favorite toy!
More Examples
Fortunately, the flight was not delayed.
Fortunately, the police arrived quickly to resolve the situation.
How It's Used
"Fortunately, the rain stopped just as we arrived."
"Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the accident."
Idioms & expressions
as luck would have it
used to say that something happened by chance in a way that you did not expect.
"As luck would have it, the train was on time."
From 'fortunate' (lucky) + '-ly' (adverbial suffix). 'Fortunate' derives from the Latin 'fortunatus', meaning 'blessed by fortune' or 'lucky'.
The word 'fortunately' has been used to express luck or good fortune since the late 16th century, reflecting the human interest in and the impact of good luck.
Memory tip
Think of 'fortune cookie' – the message inside is often a fortunate (lucky) prediction, so 'fortunately' means something good happened.
Word Origin
"fortunatus (blessed by fortune)"