fortunate
/ˈfɔːtʃənət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɔːrtʃənət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfȯr-chə-nət ˈfȯrch-nət/ (ame, mw)
fortunate — adjective
- fortunatepositive
- more fortunatecomparative
- most fortunatesuperlative
1. having good things happen to you because of luck rather than your own actions or
having good things happen to you because of luck rather than your own actions or plans; getting or keeping something good that you did not have a right to expect — for example, being born into a loving family, finding a job you enjoy without much searching, or escaping harm when an accident seemed certain.
Kemi felt fortunate to find a good job right after university.
fortunate + to-infinitive for describing a good outcome
The Watanabe family was fortunate that no one was hurt in the fire.
be fortunate + that-clause
A fortunate turn of events brought the old friends back together.
We were fortunate enough to get the last two tickets for the concert.
After the accident, Faisal counted himself fortunate to be alive.
- lucky
more common and less formal; used for both minor and major good outcomes
- blessed
implies gratitude and often a spiritual source rather than chance
- auspicious
formal; refers to signs or omens that suggest future success, not an existing benefit
- unfortunate
the direct opposite; means having bad luck
- unlucky
more informal opposite, common in everyday speech
文法句型
be fortunate + to-infinitive
be fortunate + that-clause
fortunate + noun
用法筆記
Compared to 'lucky', 'fortunate' is more formal and tends to be used for more significant or serious outcomes. It is common in both attributive position (a fortunate decision) and predicative position with to-infinitive (fortunate to escape) or that-clause (fortunate that help arrived).