Fortune: meaning, definitions and examples

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fortune

 

[ ˈfɔːrtʃən ]

Context #1 | Noun

luck

Fortune refers to the success and prosperity that someone has, usually as a result of chance or fate. It can also refer to a large amount of money or assets.

Synonyms

luck, prosperity, wealth.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fortune

Use this word when referring to a large amount of money or valuable assets, often inherited or gained through significant success.

  • She inherited a vast fortune from her grandparents
  • Winning the lottery brought him an incredible fortune
luck

This word is appropriate when speaking about good fortune or success that happens by chance rather than through one's own actions or plans.

  • He had the luck to find a $20 bill on the sidewalk
  • Good luck on your exam!
wealth

This word describes an abundance of valuable assets or money, more generally encompassing both money and material possessions.

  • He amassed his wealth through successful investments
  • Her family is known for their great wealth
prosperity

Use this term when referring to a state of being prosperous, characterized by economic well-being and stability over a long period of time.

  • The country experienced years of prosperity after the war
  • Their business brought them great prosperity

Examples of usage

  • She inherited a fortune from her late uncle.
  • He made his fortune in the stock market.
  • Despite all odds, fortune smiled upon him.
Context #2 | Noun

famous cookie

A fortune is also a small slip of paper inside a fortune cookie, typically containing words of wisdom or a prediction for the future.

Synonyms

forecast, prediction, prophecy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fortune

Typically used in contexts involving wealth, luck, or fate. It can refer to a large amount of money or good luck over an extended period.

  • She amassed a great fortune through her successful business ventures.
  • He had the good fortune of finding a new job quickly after being laid off.
prediction

Refers to a statement made about the future, often based on some evidence or reasoning, and commonly used in scientific, technological, and casual contexts.

  • His prediction about the election results was surprisingly accurate.
  • The scientist offered a prediction about the outcome of the experiment.
prophecy

Often has a mystical or religious connotation, referring to a divinely inspired revelation or a foretelling of the future that seems certain to happen.

  • The ancient prophecy declared that a hero would rise to save the kingdom.
  • Many people believe in the prophecy about the end of the world.
forecast

Used mainly in the context of predicting the weather or financial trends based on available data.

  • The weather forecast predicts rain for the weekend.
  • The financial forecast suggests a recession is likely next year.

Examples of usage

  • My fortune cookie told me I would have a great adventure soon.
  • The fortune inside said I would find love in unexpected places.

Translations

Translations of the word "fortune" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fortuna

🇮🇳 भाग्य

🇩🇪 Glück

🇮🇩 nasib

🇺🇦 удача

🇵🇱 szczęście

🇯🇵 

🇫🇷 fortune

🇪🇸 fortuna

🇹🇷 şans

🇰🇷 

🇸🇦 حظ

🇨🇿 štěstí

🇸🇰 šťastie

🇨🇳 运气

🇸🇮 sreča

🇮🇸 gæfa

🇰🇿 сәттілік

🇬🇪 იღბალი

🇦🇿 bəxt

🇲🇽 fortuna

Etymology

The word 'fortune' has its roots in Middle English, from the Old French 'fortune', which in turn comes from the Latin word 'fortuna' meaning 'chance' or 'luck'. The concept of fortune has been a part of human history for centuries, with various beliefs and superstitions surrounding luck and fate.

See also: fort, fortify, fortitude, fortnight, fortress, forty.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,717, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.