Fortunately: meaning, definitions and examples

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fortunately

[ˈfɔːtjʊnətli ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a positive manner

used to express happiness or relief that something fortunate has happened.

Synonyms

happily, luckily, thankfully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fortunately	Used to convey that something good happened or a bad situation was avoided. Fortunately, we found a gas station before we ran out of fuel. He forgot to set his alarm, but fortunately, he woke up on time.
luckily	Used when something good happens by chance, often in situations of relief or bright outcomes. Luckily, it stopped raining just before the picnic. She lost her keys, but luckily, her neighbor had a spare.
thankfully	Expresses relief that something bad did not happen or a difficult situation had a good outcome. The storm was severe, but thankfully, everyone stayed safe. They were late, but thankfully, the train was also delayed.
happily	Used to describe a situation where someone feels joy or satisfaction. She happily accepted their invitation to the party. He was happily playing with his new toy.

Examples of usage

I was running late, but fortunately, I caught the bus just in time.
Fortunately, the weather held up for our outdoor event.
Fortunately, I had saved enough money to cover the unexpected expenses.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident.
Fortunately, we were able to find a solution to the problem.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin word 'fortunatus,' meaning 'blessed by fortune' or 'lucky.'
It evolved from the Old French term 'fortunel,' which also relates to luck and prosperity.
The prefix 'fort-' refers to 'chance,' capturing the idea of good luck.

Language Use

'Fortunately' is often used to contrast unfortunate situations, highlighting a positive twist.
Writers and speakers use the word to create a sense of hope in narratives, making readers feel optimistic.
The term can introduce an unexpected positive outcome, changing the direction of a story.

Psychology

Using positive language like 'fortunately' can enhance mood and foster a sense of resilience.
Gratitude and acknowledgment of good fortune have been linked to improved mental health.
People who often reflect on fortunate events tend to have better overall well-being and life satisfaction.

Cultural References

In many cultures, expressions of gratitude or acknowledgment of good fortune are staples in storytelling.
Songs and poems frequently incorporate the word to evoke feelings of happiness or relief.
Famous quotes from literature often include 'fortunately' to emphasize contrasting outcomes.

Literature

Classic literature often depicts characters experiencing fortunes favoring them, using the word to mark pivotal moments.
Modern narratives employ 'fortunately' to provide ironic turns, enhancing plot twists.
Authors utilize this term to establish tone and elicit emotional responses from the audience.

Translations

Translations of the word "fortunately" in other languages:

🇵🇹 felizmente

🇮🇳 सौभाग्य से

🇩🇪 glücklicherweise

🇮🇩 untungnya

🇺🇦 на щастя

🇵🇱 na szczęście

🇯🇵 幸いなことに

🇫🇷 heureusement

🇪🇸 afortunadamente

🇹🇷 neyse ki

🇰🇷 다행히도

🇸🇦 لحسن الحظ

🇨🇿 naštěstí

🇸🇰 našťastie

🇨🇳 幸运的是

🇸🇮 na srečo

🇮🇸 sem betur fer

🇰🇿 бақытына қарай

🇬🇪 საბედნიეროდ

🇦🇿 xoşbəxtlikdən

🇲🇽 afortunadamente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,004, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
10002 naive
10003 dredging
10004 fortunately
10005 mock
10006 serpent
10007 spoon
...