Fortuitous
What it means
Happening by chance and bringing a welcome result.
Reach for it when describing a welcome result that happened by chance
A fortuitous meeting led the two researchers to collaborate.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when casual speech should credit chance
Careful Lucky is too informal for careful analysis.
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warm
Fits when good luck is the important quality
Careful A fortunate person or condition need not involve chance timing.
-
professional
chance
Fits when neutral accident is all that evidence supports
Careful Chance does not say the outcome was welcome.
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formal
Fits when timing is especially useful
Careful Opportune timing can be planned rather than accidental.
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literary
providential
Fits when the event feels guided by benevolent purpose
Careful Providential introduces a religious interpretation.
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literary
Fits when an accidental discovery brings value
Careful Serendipitous implies discovery, not every lucky event.
Opposites 3
- planned
- unfortunate
- ill-timed
Common phrases 3
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fortuitous meeting
A fortuitous meeting began the collaboration.
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fortuitous discovery
The survey made a fortuitous discovery.
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fortuitous timing
Fortuitous timing kept the road open.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated