serendipity
UK: ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti | US: ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti
n. the occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
n. the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident
The word "serendipity" was coined by English author Horace Walpole in 1754, inspired by the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip, whose protagonists made clever discoveries by accident. "Serendip" is an archaic name for Sri Lanka (from Arabic Sarandīb). The suffix "-ity" transforms the proper noun into an abstract noun, capturing the essence of fortunate accidents. The term reflects how language can immortalize cultural narratives.
The discovery of penicillin was a classic case of serendipity.
She found the rare book through pure serendipity at a flea market.
Scientific breakthroughs often involve an element of serendipity.
Their reunion after 20 years was a delightful serendipity.
The startup’s success stemmed from serendipity rather than careful planning.