fortuitous
UK: fɔːˈtjuː.ɪ.təs | US: fɔːrˈtuː.ə.təs
adj. happening by chance or accident
adj. lucky or fortunate
fortuitous = fortuit<chance> + ous<adjective suffix>
- fortuit (from Latin fortuitus, meaning "accidental" or "by chance," derived from fors "luck")
- ous (adjective-forming suffix indicating possession or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word fortuitous traces back to Latin fortuitus, which stems from fors (luck) and the suffix -uitus (indicating a state or condition). Originally, it strictly meant "occurring by chance," but over time, it absorbed connotations of "fortunate" due to the positive association of luck. This semantic shift reflects how language often blends chance and fortune in cultural perception.
Their meeting was entirely fortuitous, as neither had planned to attend the event.
The discovery of the ancient artifact was a fortuitous accident during construction.
She attributed her success to a series of fortuitous encounters.
The rain arrived at a fortuitous moment, saving the crops from drought.
His fortuitous investment in the startup yielded unexpected profits.