— fortunately , adv. — fortunateness , n.
/fawr"cheuh nit/ , adj.
1. having good fortune; receiving good from uncertain or unexpected sources; lucky: a fortunate young actor who got the lead in the play.
2. bringing or indicating good fortune; resulting favorably; auspicious: She made a fortunate decision to go on to medical school.
[ 1350-1400; ME fortunat fortunatus made prosperous or happy (ptp. of fortunare ). See FORTUNE, -ATE 1 ]
Syn. 1. advantageous, successful, prosperous. FORTUNATE, HAPPY, LUCKY refer to persons who enjoy, or events that produce, good fortune. FORTUNATE implies that the success is obtained by the operation of favorable circumstances more than by direct effort; it is usually applied to grave or large matters (esp. those happening in the ordinary course of things): fortunate in one's choice of a wife; a fortunate investment. HAPPY emphasizes a pleasant ending or something that happens at just the right moment: By a happy accident I received the package on time. LUCKY, a more colloquial word, is applied to situations that turn out well by chance: lucky at cards; my lucky day.