Serendipity
What it means
The happy discovery of something valuable by chance.
Reach for it when naming the occurrence of a valuable discovery or event through unexpected chance
Serendipity led them to a hidden garden during the walk.
Words to choose between 8
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal |
-
playful
fluke
Fits when an unlikely result occurs once
Careful Fluke can dismiss the competence that recognized the opportunity.
-
playful
happy accident
Fits when an unintended useful result suits an informal tone
Careful The phrase can minimize skill or preparation.
-
everyday
coincidence
Fits when events align without a known cause
Careful Coincidence may have no benefit or discovery.
-
everyday
Fits when chance benefit is enough
Careful Luck covers any chance benefit, not specifically a useful discovery.
-
warm
good fortune
Fits when broad favorable luck is intended
Careful Good fortune need not involve discovery.
-
professional
chance discovery
Fits when finding something unexpectedly is exact
Careful Chance discovery describes the event but lacks serendipity's pleasure.
-
formal
fortuity
Fits when accidental occurrence is the precise concept
Careful Fortuity does not inherently mean a favorable result.
-
formal
Fits when faith attributes timely benefit to divine care
Careful Providence makes a religious claim.
Opposites 3
- misfortune
- design
- inevitability
Common phrases 3
-
pure serendipity
Pure serendipity placed both conservators on the same train.
-
moment of serendipity
A moment of serendipity turned the wrong box into the right archive.
-
role of serendipity
The discovery shows the role of serendipity in careful research.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Soundguys, London accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated