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felicitous

C2
Rare

Pronunciation

UK

  • /fɛlˈɪsɪtəs/

US

  • /fɪˈlɪsətəs/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. apt, well chosen, or pleasingly suitable for the situation

  2. pleasant, fortunate, or happy in effect

Beyond the definition

"Felicitous" describes something that fits a situation especially well. It is often used for words, actions, or choices that feel just right in tone, timing, or style. Think of a wedding toast that says exactly what everyone feels without sounding forced. A felicitous remark hits the mark neatly and pleasantly. The word can also, in some contexts, suggest a lucky or happy result, as in a felicitous accident, but its main idea is being fitting and well chosen.

Examples

  1. 1

    Speech phrasing

    She ended the speech with a felicitous phrase that everyone remembered.

  2. 2

    Literary review

    The review praised the author's felicitous choice of detail.

  3. 3

    Tension relief

    His light joke was felicitous, easing the tension without changing the subject.

  4. 4

    Suitable timing

    It was a felicitous moment to announce the news, because the whole team was already together.

    • Phrasefelicitous moment

      a time that is especially suitable

More examples
  1. 5

    Translation choice

    The translator finally found a felicitous way to keep both the humor and the rhythm of the original line.

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • felicitous choice
  • felicitous phrase
  • felicitous expression

Word family

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Forms and spellings

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Main spelling

  • felicitousadjective