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
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
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
Another driver in a wreck across the interstate wasn't as fortunate.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
Maybe the next coach will get fortunate in a way Clifford never did in Charlotte the second time around.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Gutt wasn’t so fortunate and eventually moved back to Michigan to play in cover bands.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
Many other children, perhaps the majority of the 1 billion who are maltreated each year, are less fortunate, more vulnerable by nature and nurture.
—Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
Those living or visiting along the path of totality next week may not end up so fortunate, as historical weather maps show the odds of experiencing a cloud-free sky at this time of year are somewhat less than ideal.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
Along the way to making a killing in the wine market, open a bottle or two with friends and focus on the beauty of a fortunate growing season concentrated in your glass.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2024
Nonetheless, society has been fortunate to witness incredible feats in both space travel generally as well as the medical research and advancements to support it.
—Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., J.d., Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Michael Rothfeld Emily Woo Zeller Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Another driver in a wreck across the interstate wasn't as fortunate.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
Maybe the next coach will get fortunate in a way Clifford never did in Charlotte the second time around.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Gutt wasn’t so fortunate and eventually moved back to Michigan to play in cover bands.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
Many other children, perhaps the majority of the 1 billion who are maltreated each year, are less fortunate, more vulnerable by nature and nurture.
—Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
Those living or visiting along the path of totality next week may not end up so fortunate, as historical weather maps show the odds of experiencing a cloud-free sky at this time of year are somewhat less than ideal.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
Along the way to making a killing in the wine market, open a bottle or two with friends and focus on the beauty of a fortunate growing season concentrated in your glass.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2024
Nonetheless, society has been fortunate to witness incredible feats in both space travel generally as well as the medical research and advancements to support it.
—Sai Balasubramanian, M.d., J.d., Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fortunate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of fortunate was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing fortunate
Articles Related to fortunate
Dictionary Entries Near fortunate
Cite this Entry
“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortunate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on fortunate
Nglish: Translation of fortunate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fortunate for Arabic Speakers
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