fortune
FAWT-shoon
Fortune (noun) means a very large amount of money or wealth. Example: “He made his fortune in real estate.”
noun
1
A very large amount of money or wealth.
"He made his fortune in real estate."
"That painting is worth a fortune."
"The old farmhouse must have cost a fortune to restore."
2
Luck, especially as a force that shapes future events.
"Fortune smiled on them that day."
"By a stroke of good fortune, we found the lost keys."
"Misfortune followed him wherever he went, but fortune finally turned in his favour."
3
A prediction about someone's future.
"The psychic told her fortune using tarot cards."
"At the fair, she paid a woman to tell her fortune."
"The cookie contained a small slip of paper with a fortune on it."
How to use fortune
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a huge sum of money, or the idea of luck and what the future holds.
Common pairings
make a fortune
tell someone's fortune
cost a fortune
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Word forms
- Plural
- fortunes
- Third person singular
- fortunes
- Past tense
- fortuned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He made his _____ in real estate.
Etymology
From Latin fortuna, "chance, luck," named after Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fortune
See all rhymes for fortune →Frequently asked questions
What does “fortune” mean?
The word “fortune” means a very large amount of money or wealth. In plain terms, either a huge sum of money, or the idea of luck and what the future holds.
How do you pronounce “fortune”?
“Fortune” is pronounced FAWT-shoon (/ˈfoɹt͡ʃən/ [-t͡ʃʰən ~ -t͡ʃʰn̩] in IPA).
How do you use “fortune” in a sentence?
Here is “fortune” used in a sentence: “He made his fortune in real estate.”
What part of speech is “fortune”?
“Fortune” is a noun.
Where does the word “fortune” come from?
The word “fortune” comes from Latin. From Latin fortuna, "chance, luck," named after Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune.
Is “fortune” a common word?
“Fortune” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fortune” have?
“Fortune” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very large amount of money or wealth.
What is the difference between "fortune" and "luck"?
Both can mean chance events that shape outcomes, but "fortune" often sounds more formal or literary and can imply fate as a guiding force. "Luck" is more everyday and can be good or bad, while "fortune" also carries a separate meaning of great wealth.
Does "fortune" mean money or luck?
"Fortune" can mean either. It can refer to a very large amount of money or wealth, as in "she made a fortune," or to luck and fate, as in "the fortunes of war." Context shows which sense is meant.
What are common collocations with "fortune"?
Common phrases include "make a fortune," "cost a fortune," "a small fortune," "good fortune," and "tell someone's fortune." These span both the wealth and the luck meanings.
What is the difference between "fortune" and "wealth"?
"Wealth" is a general term for a large amount of money, property, or valuable assets. "Fortune" usually points to a specific large sum belonging to a person, as in "he inherited a fortune," making it feel more concrete and countable.
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