Serendipitous
adj.joyful, hopefulwarm
What it means
Happening by happy and valuable chance.
Reach for it when describing a fortunate useful discovery or event that arose unexpectedly
A serendipitous meeting connected the inventor with a mentor.
Choose between these
8- everyday
chance
when accidental occurrence is the neutral fact
not when Chance alone does not imply benefit.
- everyday
when chance benefit suits informal speech
not when Lucky can trivialize preparation that made use of the chance.
- everyday
unexpected
when surprise is the only known property
not when Unexpected events may be harmful.
- warm
when favorable luck is the plain idea
not when Fortunate need not involve a discovery.
- professional
when timing is especially useful
not when Opportune may be deliberate rather than accidental.
- formal
when chance coincidence is central
not when Fortuitous is often misread as simply favorable.
- formal
providential
when remarkably timely good fortune suits a faith context
not when Providential introduces divine purpose.
- literary
when the event seems to promise future success
not when Auspicious concerns signs and beginnings, not discovery.
Said against
3- unfortunate
- planned
- expected
It naturally appears in
3- serendipitous discovery
A serendipitous discovery revealed the letters behind a loose panel.
- serendipitous encounter
Their serendipitous encounter led to a shared repair workshop.
- serendipitous moment
A serendipitous moment connected two researchers studying the same map.