fortunate

adj

Etymology: From Middle English fortunat(e) (“fortunate”), from Latin fortūnātus, from fortūna (“fortune, luck”) + -ātus (adjective-forming suffix), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix). See also Middle English fortunaten (“to assure the success (of), make fortunate”); cognate with French fortuné (“lucky”). By surface analysis, fortune + -ate.

1. Auspicious.

   “It is a fortunate sign if the sun shines on a newly wedded couple.”

   “if it sits still, with its breast towards them, till they have passed, they consider it as a fortunate sign, and everything is expected to go on well during the remainder of their journey”

2. Happening by good luck or favorable chance.

   “Patrick was the unlikely match-winner as Berkeley earned a fortunate victory over Chisolm.”

   “How many lucky winners, Regnault lamented, boastfully ascribe their success to wise decisions while in reality their triumph was nothing more than the fortunate outcome of random events?”

3. Favored by fortune.

   “We were fortunate not to be fined for speeding.”

   “This is a time when we think of those less fortunate than ourselves.”