Fortunate: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：lucky (fortunate)

fortunate 🔊

/ˈfɔːrtʃənət/

adj.

To have good luck or to be in a favorable situation.

lucky 🔊

➕

/ˈlʌki/

adj.

The condition of having good luck or being in a favorable situation.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'fortunatus' (lucky), from 'fors' (chance).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a fortune cookie telling you good news – that's being fortunate.

📖 Example

She felt very fortunate that all the questions on the exam were exactly what she had revised. 🔊 She felt very fortunate that all the questions on the exam were exactly what she had revised.

🔗 Collocations

fortunate enough – having sufficient luck

fortunate circumstance – a situation that brings good luck

fortunate event – an event that is favorable or lucky

🔄 Synonyms

lucky (adj.) – having good luck

blessed (adj.) – enjoying happiness or good fortune

favorable (adj.) – having the qualities that lead to a positive outcome

🚫 Antonyms

unfortunate (adj.) – having bad luck or unfavorable circumstances

unlucky (adj.) – not having good luck

hapless (adj.) – unfortunate and deserving pity

🌱 Derivatives

fortune (n.) – luck or a large amount of wealth

fortunately (adv.) – in a fortunate manner

unfortunately (adv.) – in an unfortunate manner

📖 Cultural Story

Ancient Romans worshipped Fortuna, goddess of luck, from which 'fortunate' derives. It embodies the idea of favorable fate.