WordGarden.iofortuitously
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /fɔːtjˈuːɪtəsli/
US
- /fɔːrtˈuːɪtəsli/
Meanings
Adverb
by chance rather than by plan
in a lucky or fortunate way
Beyond the definition
If something happens fortuitously, it happens by chance, often in a way that feels lucky or helpful. Imagine searching for a rare book for years, then stumbling upon it at a garage sale. That would feel like a fortuitous discovery. The word usually suggests an unexpected turn that works out well, though at its core it is about chance.
The root of "fortuitously" comes from the Latin word "fortuna," meaning chance or fate. So when something happens fortuitously, it can feel as if fate has stepped in. A fortuitous meeting might lead to a new friendship or a job opportunity. In everyday English, the word often carries a positive feeling.
The word "fortuitously" describes something that happens by chance rather than by plan. In many modern contexts, it also suggests that the result is lucky, helpful, or beneficial. For example: "They met fortuitously at a conference, leading to a successful business partnership."
It's useful to distinguish "fortuitously" from simply "accidentally." An accidental event can be neutral, good, or bad. Something described as fortuitous usually sounds lucky or welcome, but the basic idea is still that chance played the main role. If you fortuitously find a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk, that sounds great. If two people fortuitously arrive at the same place at the same time, the word may simply highlight coincidence.
The word is often used for opportunities, discoveries, meetings, and timing that come together unexpectedly. "A fortuitous combination of circumstances allowed her to achieve her dream." It can also highlight the role of chance in success: "He stumbled upon the solution fortuitously while experimenting with different approaches."
While it often implies luck, "fortuitously" does not suggest passivity. A person may be working, searching, traveling, or experimenting when the unexpected moment happens; they simply did not plan that exact result. So if something falls into place through chance, especially in a helpful way, you can say it happened fortuitously.
Examples
- 1
Everyday problem
Fortuitously, I was carrying a charger when her phone died.
- Usage
more common in formal English than in casual conversation
- 2
Legal help
We fortuitously ran into a lawyer who could answer our questions.
- 3
Safety check
The error was fortuitously discovered during a routine safety check.
- 4
Workplace proximity
Their offices were fortuitously located in the same building, so they ended up working together.
See also
Similar
- accidentally
- by chance
- coincidentally
Shades of meaning
- serendipitously
- luckily
- unexpectedly
Contrast
- deliberately
- by design
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- fortuitously discovered
- fortuitously timed
- happened fortuitously
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- fortuitouslyadverb