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Definitions

fortunate

[fawr-chuh-nit] / ˈfɔr tʃə nɪt /
ADJECTIVE
having good luck
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affluent encouraging fortuitous happy healthy helpful lucky profitable prosperous successful wealthy well-off
WEAK
advantageous auspicious blessed born with a silver spoon bright charmed convenient favorable favored felicitous flourishing gaining get a break golden hopeful in luck in the gravy on a roll opportune overcoming promising propitious providential rosy sitting pretty sunny side thriving timely triumphant victorious well-to-do
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destitute disadvantageous failing hopeless lacking losing needy poor unfortunate unlucky unprofitable unsuccessful wanting
WEAK
adverse sad unhappy untoward upset

Usage

What are other ways to say fortunate? The adjective fortunate, which describes people or events marked by good fortune, implies that success is obtained by the operation of favorable circumstances more than by direct effort; it is usually applied to grave or large matters (especially those happening in the ordinary course of things): fortunate in one’s choice of a partner; a fortunate investment. Happy emphasizes a pleasant ending or something that happens at just the right moment: By a happy accident, I received the package on time. Lucky, a more colloquial word, is applied to situations that turn out well by chance: lucky at cards; my lucky day.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We would all be fortunate if the court were to ultimately approach the present case with that reality firmly in mind.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

“You’ve helped me in ways that I can’t even describe, and I’m truly so fortunate to have your support. I’ve missed you so much.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

In between was a terrifying 2021 crash in California in which he was seriously injured and, by his own account, was fortunate to survive and keep his right leg.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Ch Supt Kevin Waring, area commander for Northumberland, said: "We are fortunate to live and work within such close-knit communities, and we recognise the impact cases such as this can have on us all."

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The villagers grew calmer, thinking themselves fortunate not to have been tempted by the Devil and then found out in so public a fashion.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.