fortunate

adjective

ˈfȯrch-nət How to pronounce fortunate (audio)
Definition of fortunatenext
1
as in lucky
coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly in a fortunate turn of events, the motel had one last vacancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in happy
having good luck rabbits' feet are seen as making the carrier of them fortunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

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

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fortunate Its maximum capacity is a whopping 512GB (for the fortunate few who can afford it). — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 Sucks to be booed at home, but Watson is fortunate that's the extent of his hardship. — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 With tens of thousands still without power in Northwest Indiana, Brandon was fortunate his power was restored Wednesday night. — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Ellsworth feels fortunate to be able to see the doctor of her choice without having to worry about the cost. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortunate
  1. lucky
  2. happy
Adjective
  • Divya Lagisetti and Holden Prosser are lucky that their last names rest close to each other in the alphabet.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But two lucky people, one in New York and another in the United Kingdom, won the $1 million Match 5 prize.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of lucky
Adjective
  • George Clooney has arrived at the Venice Film Festival in high spirits, happy to be back in one of his favorite places in the world.
    — Stefania Saltalamacchia, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The publisher was apparently not too happy either, according to Wilson, though selling over a million copies of an ancient epic probably won her some wiggle room.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of happy

Browse Nearby Words

fortuity
fortunate
fortunately
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortunate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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