noun

serendipity

sehr-uhn-DIHP-ih-tee

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Serendipity (noun) means a pleasant surprise — finding something good without looking for it. Example: “Meeting my business partner at that conference was pure serendipity.”

noun

A pleasant surprise — finding something good without looking for it.

"Meeting my business partner at that conference was pure serendipity."

"It was serendipity that led to the discovery of penicillin."

How to use serendipity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA lucky accident — finding something great when you weren't even looking for it.

Common mistake

Not the same as luck in general — serendipity specifically means finding something good while you were looking for something else.

Memory tip

Think of it as luck with a discovery attached.

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Common pairings

by serendipity pure serendipity a happy serendipity

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: serendipities

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Meeting my business partner at that conference was pure _____.

Etymology

Coined in 1754 by the writer Horace Walpole, based on an old Persian fairy tale, "The Three Princes of Serendip," whose heroes kept stumbling onto good fortune by accident.

Origin: Persian · First attested 1754

Class of 1754 serendipity joined the language around 1754.

lemur

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Synonyms

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fluke chance happenstance fortuity coincidence

Related words

find chance happen design risk purpose opportunity luck

Rhymes for serendipity

city deity acuity parity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality annuity gravity

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Frequently asked questions

What does “serendipity” mean?

The word “serendipity” means a pleasant surprise — finding something good without looking for it. In plain terms, a lucky accident — finding something great when you weren't even looking for it.

How do you pronounce “serendipity”?

“Serendipity” is pronounced sehr-uhn-DIHP-ih-tee (/ˌsɛɹ.ənˈdɪp.ɪ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “serendipity” in a sentence?

Here is “serendipity” used in a sentence: “Meeting my business partner at that conference was pure serendipity.”

What part of speech is “serendipity”?

“Serendipity” is a noun.

Where does the word “serendipity” come from?

The word “serendipity” dates back to around 1754 and comes from Persian. Coined in 1754 by the writer Horace Walpole, based on an old Persian fairy tale, "The Three Princes of Serendip," whose heroes kept stumbling onto good fortune by accident.

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