noun A2 Elementary Common

fortune

FAWT-shoon

Fortune (noun) means a very large amount of money or wealth. Example: “He made his fortune in real estate.”

noun

A very large amount of money or wealth.

"He made his fortune in real estate."

"That painting is worth a fortune."

Luck, especially as a force that shapes future events.

"Fortune smiled on them that day."

A prediction about someone's future.

"The psychic told her fortune using tarot cards."

How to use fortune

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

fortuned past tense, fortunes plural, fortunes singular

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He made his _____ in real estate.

Etymology

From Latin fortuna, "chance, luck," named after Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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wealth riches luck fate destiny prosperity

Related words

success luck accident plenty assets poverty wealth welfare

Rhymes for fortune

June lune dune rune tune mune Pune prune immune Neptune commune tribune

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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