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adj

fortuitous

faw-TYOO-ih-tuhs
adj
1
Happening by chance, especially in a lucky or fortunate way.
"Their meeting on the train turned out to be fortuitous — they later became business partners."
"It was fortuitous that she arrived just as the doors were closing."

How to Use Fortuitous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA happy accident — something good that happens unexpectedly.

Common mistake

Strictly, "fortuitous" just means "by chance" and doesn't have to be lucky, but in modern use it almost always implies a happy outcome.

Easily confused with

Word Forms

more fortuitous comparative, most fortuitous superlative

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Their meeting on the train turned out to be _____ — they later became business partners.

Etymology

From Latin fortuitus, "happening by chance."

Rhymes for fortuitous

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial