/ ˈfɔːtʃuːn; NAmE ˈfɔːrtʃ-/ noun
1.
[ U ] chance or luck, especially in the way it affects people's lives :
I have had the good fortune to work with some brilliant directors.
By a stroke of fortune he found work almost immediately.
Fortune smiled on me (= I had good luck) .
➡ note at luck
2.
[ C ] a large amount of money :
He made a fortune in real estate.
She inherited a share of the family fortune.
A car like that costs a small fortune .
You don't have to spend a fortune to give your family tasty, healthy meals.
She is hoping her US debut will be the first step on the road to fame and fortune .
That ring must be worth a fortune .
3.
[ C , usually pl. , U ] the good and bad things that happen to a person, family, country, etc. :
the changing fortunes of the film industry
the fortunes of war
a reversal of fortune(s)
4.
[ C ] a person's fate or future :
She can tell your fortune by looking at the lines on your hand.
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IDIOMS
see hostage , seek
—see also soldier of fortune
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin Fortuna , the name of a goddess personifying luck or chance.