serendipitous

IPA/ˌserənˈdɪpətəs/
KK[sˌɛrəndˈɪpɪtəs]IPA/ˌserənˈdɪpətəs/

serendipitous — adjective

  • serendipitouspositive
  • more serendipitouscomparative
  • most serendipitoussuperlative

1. coming about accidentally in a way that is lucky, useful, or pleasantly surprisi

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

coming about accidentally in a way that is lucky, useful, or pleasantly surprising.

Example

A serendipitous conversation with a librarian led Rachid to the missing archive.

serendipitous conversation: an unexpected talk with a useful result

Dahlia made a serendipitous discovery while sorting old photos in the attic.

serendipitous discovery: found by accident in a fortunate way

Common collocations
  • serendipitous discovery
  • serendipitous meeting
  • serendipitous encounter
  • serendipitous timing
  • serendipitous error
  • prove serendipitous
Synonyms
  • fortunate

    more general; does not always imply accident

  • lucky

    more common and informal

  • accidental

    only says something was not planned; it may be good, bad, or neutral

Antonyms
  • planned

    arranged deliberately rather than discovered by accident

  • unfortunate

    having a bad or unlucky result

Grammar Patterns

a serendipitous discovery

a serendipitous meeting

be serendipitous

prove serendipitous

Usage Note

Use this adjective for an accidental event, meeting, discovery, or timing that brings a good or interesting result. It is more literary than 'lucky' and usually sounds positive.

Common Mistakes

Do not use 'serendipitous' for any random event; it normally suggests that the accidental result was helpful, pleasant, or interesting.

Do not confuse it with 'serious' or 'spontaneous'. 'Serendipitous' means accidental and fortunate.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Serendipitous describes something accidental that turns out well, especially a discovery, meeting, or useful piece of timing. Fortunate and lucky are broader: a fortunate result may be planned, and a lucky result may simply be good. Accidental focuses only on the lack of intention, so an accidental event can be helpful, harmful, or neutral. A serendipitous event is both unplanned and positive.

serendipitous ↗fortunate ↗lucky ↗accidental ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • prove serendipitous
  • turn out to be serendipitous
  • a serendipitous chain of events

Etymology

First known use

1910

1910, in the meaning defined above