Fortuitous

Definition

Happening by lucky chance; fortunate — especially when the timing feels improbably perfect.

Beyond the definition

Fortuitous carries a slight shimmer of disbelief. It's the word for the moment when things fall into place in a way that makes you wonder if someone was paying attention after all.

Origin & history

From Latin fortuitus — happening by chance (fors: chance, luck). Related to fortune. But in modern usage, the lucky sense dominates — it's chance that goes your way.

Example sentences

Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.

It was fortuitous that they were both at the same conference — it changed both their careers.

The timing was fortuitous: the call came just as she was about to accept the other offer.

A fortuitous delay meant the whole sequence of events was different from what anyone planned.

How to use it

This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.

Choose “Fortuitous” when the meaning fits your context: Happening by lucky chance; fortunate — especially when the timing feels improbably perfect.

Synonyms

lucky, fortunate, serendipitous, providential, opportune, auspicious

Antonyms

unlucky, unfortunate, untimely

Related words

• serendipity
• auspicious
• apropos
• opportune

Word in the Wild

See how this word appears in life, language and stories.

Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.

Fictional scene

Sunlight Striking Flower

An adult stands on a city balcony as clouds break, allowing a single, brilliant beam of sunlight to strike a specific, beautiful flower in a pot.

Fortuitous events happen by lucky chance, especially when the timing feels perfect. The precise moment the sun breaks the clouds to highlight the flower represents this sense of improbable, lucky timing, creating a beautiful and auspicious scenario that highlights the magic of a moment that arrived by chance.

Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration

Questions about this word

What does "Fortuitous" mean?

Fortuitous is adjective meaning: Lucky in a way that feels almost too convenient to be chance.. Happening by lucky chance; fortunate — especially when the timing feels improbably perfect.

Where does the word "Fortuitous" come from?

From Latin fortuitus — happening by chance (fors: chance, luck). Related to fortune. But in modern usage, the lucky sense dominates — it's chance that goes your way.