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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.

Your husband is fortunate to have you and, no doubt, you are fortunate to have him.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Bravo is fortunate he’s seen Dodger broadcasts mentioning Koufax at the stadium and on TV, motivating him to learn more, which led to seeing his windup on YouTube.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

"I suppose we could say we have been fortunate that every time we've been relegated, we have come straight back up and so it keeps the parachute payments," said Little.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

"It is such a special thing. I think I've been so fortunate throughout this pregnancy so far and and to be able to do this now is just incredible," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

I was also fortunate enough to find a management team whose interests were aligned with my own in using my platform to fight for justice and end bigotry.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Vocabulary lists containing fortunate

List 6

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Tears of a Tiger

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