Fortune

'fɔːrtʃən

nounmedium📊CommonAbstract
2 meanings3 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Good luck or success; a large amount of money or possessions.

'fɔːrtʃən

nounpositivemedium
Abstract

Luck or chance, especially in a positive way.

She was lucky and gained a great fortune.

💡 Simply: Imagine you find a winning lottery ticket! That's a bit of fortune. It's also like having lots of money or cool stuff.

👶 For kids: When you're lucky and good things happen, that's fortune!

More Examples

2

Winning the lottery was a stroke of good fortune.

3

He amassed a great fortune through wise investments.

How It's Used

General

"She was lucky enough to strike it rich and found her fortune."

Literary

"The capricious winds of fortune favored him in the end."

2

A large sum of money or wealth.

'fɔːrtʃən

nounneutralmedium
Abstract

A large sum of money or valuable possessions.

The family's fortune was tied up in real estate.

💡 Simply: When someone has a lot of money, like enough to buy a big house and a fancy car, they have a fortune.

👶 For kids: A whole bunch of money!

More Examples

2

She spent her fortune on charitable causes.

3

He was left a considerable fortune when his uncle died.

How It's Used

Business

"He inherited a vast fortune from his grandfather's estate."

Finance

"The company made its fortune in the tech industry."

Tip:Think of someone inheriting a 'fortune' – a huge amount of money.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

make a fortune

To become very rich.

"He made a fortune in the stock market."

a small fortune

A large amount of money (often used humorously).

"That dress cost a small fortune!"

fortune favors the bold

Success comes to those who are brave and take risks.

"Going for the job interview was a risk, but as they say, fortune favors the bold."

From Middle English *fortune*, from Old French *fortune* (“luck, chance, fate”), from Latin *fortūna* (“luck, chance, fate”), from *fors* (“chance, luck”).

The word 'fortune' has been used for centuries to refer to chance and wealth, evolving from its Latin roots.

Memory tip

Think of a 'fortune cookie' – you hope for good luck and maybe a lucky number!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"chance, luck, fate"

make a fortunea small fortunevast fortuneinherit a fortunegood fortune

Common misspellings

forturefortuen

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written