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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.

In fairness to Slot, he did concede that his side were fortunate in the first leg.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“Staff described the situation as heartbreaking, noting the puppy appeared scared and disoriented but was fortunate to have found its way to safety.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

"Our government appreciated it as very fortunate and wise behaviour for its own sake," Kim Yo Jong said on Monday.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, praised President Lee’s “very fortunate and wise behavior” following the apology, lowering tensions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Considering the fate of so many who had died in the Gilo, he was fortunate.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

Vocabulary lists containing fortunate

List 6

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100 SAT Words Beginning with "F"

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Tears of a Tiger

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