providential

adjective

prov·​i·​den·​tial ˌprä-və-ˈden(t)-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or determined by Providence

2

archaic : marked by foresight : prudent

3

: occurring by or as if by an intervention of Providence

a providential escape

providentially

ˌprä-və-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• fluky
• flukey
• fortuitous
• fortunate
• happy
• heaven-sent
• lucky

Choose the Right Synonym for providential

lucky, fortunate, happy, providential mean meeting with unforeseen success.

lucky stresses the role of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond what one deserves.

fortunate in my investments

happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

Examples of providential in a Sentence

We had made a providential escape.

It seemed providential that he should arrive at just that moment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their switch to EVs was also providential. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2022

Her support in polls steadily expanded from 4 percent in 2018 to 25 percent in a country where even moderate voters have grown numb to Fascist-Communist name calling, but remain enthusiastic about new, and potentially providential, leaders. —Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2022

Helping to weave all those strands into a single, elegant narrative is an Emory University astrochemist with a providential name: Susanna Widicus Weaver. —Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2011

Russia’s longstanding pursuit of a global position beyond its means—its aspiration to be a providential power, with a special mission in the world—has led it, again and again, to autocratic rule. —WSJ, 4 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

providential

adjective

prov·​i·​den·​tial ˌpräv-ə-ˈden-chəl 

1

: of, relating to, or determined by Providence

providential guidance

2

: fortunate sense 1, timely

a providential escape

providentially

-ˈdench-(ə-)lē 

adverb