Synonyms of fortunate

fortunate

adjective

ˈfȯrch-nət 

1

as in lucky

coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly

in a fortunate turn of events, the motel had one last vacancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lucky
• happy
• fortuitous
• convenient
• coincidental
• favorable
• providential
• unexpected
• fluky
• heaven-sent
• chance
• timely
• promising
• opportune
• hopeful
• bright
• good
• unforeseen
• beneficial
• benign
• seasonable
• accidental
• encouraging
• propitious
• advantageous
• auspicious
• serendipitous
• heartening
• profitable
• unlooked-for
• fair
• golden
• halcyon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfortunate
• unhappy
• unlucky
• hapless
• luckless
• expected
• anticipated
• untimely
• inconvenient
• foreseen
• intentional
• inopportune
• unseasonable
• deliberate
• planned
• ill-fated
• ill-starred
• star-crossed
• disastrous
• catastrophic
• inauspicious
• unpromising
• calamitous

2

as in happy

having good luck

rabbits' feet are seen as making the carrier of them fortunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lucky
• happy
• privileged
• gifted
• blessed
• favored
• promising
• golden
• hot
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unfortunate
• unlucky
• unhappy
• hapless
• luckless
• disadvantaged
• cursed
• ill-fated
• snakebit
• ill-starred
• star-crossed

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

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

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fortunate

Some fortunate viewers in Spain and nearby islands may see the eclipse just before sunset, low on the horizon. —Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026

Maryland is fortunate to have someone like that representing us in Congress. —Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026

Gazelle said the park was fortunate the fire did not spread. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Tampa was very fortunate when Hurricane Milton passed just to the south. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026