fortunately
adv. sent. A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈfɔɹtʃənətɫi// UK //fˈɔːtʃənətli// for·tu·nate·ly
adv. used to say that something good happened, especially when it helps you avoid a problem. You use it to show you are happy about a situation.
adv. used to indicate that a following statement describes a lucky or favourable circumstance. Functions as a disjunct to express the speaker's attitude toward the event described.
Fortunately, the rain stopped before the wedding started.
I forgot my wallet at home, but fortunately, my friend offered to pay for my lunch.
The hikers lost their map in the storm; fortunately, they encountered a local guide who was able to lead them safely back to the base camp.
From fortunate + -ly.
Usage
Sentence adverb — typically placed at the very beginning of a sentence followed by a comma, or after the auxiliary verb.