# fortunate

/ˈfɔɹtʃənət/ (US) · /fˈɔːtʃənət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fortunate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. lucky or successful

adjective · CEFR B2

having good luck or being successful, often because you are in a good situation.

For teachers: favoured by fortune; possessing good luck or having a successful status in life.

- He was fortunate to have a supportive family who helped him through university.
- The young entrepreneur was fortunate enough to secure venture capital just weeks before the market downturn began.

Usage: Often followed by an infinitive verb phrase, such as 'fortunate to be' or 'fortunate to have'.

### 2. happening by chance

adjective · CEFR B2

happening by a lucky accident or at a good time.

For teachers: occurring by favourable chance; auspicious or timely in a way that brings benefits.

- It was a fortunate coincidence that we both arrived at the station at the same time.
- The discovery of the original manuscript was a fortunate event that forced historians to revise their understanding of the period.

## Examples

- I am very fortunate to have such a supportive family.
- The hikers were fortunate to find a small cabin just as the heavy rain began to fall.
- While some attributed his success to raw talent, he was always quick to acknowledge how fortunate he had been to meet the right mentors at the start of his career.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.