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Luckily Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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luckily

[ˈlʌkɪli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

happening by good fortune

Happening by good fortune; fortunate or as though from good luck.

Synonyms

fortunately, mercifully, thankfully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
luckily

Used when something good happens by chance or accident.

  • Luckily, I found my keys before I left the house.
  • We were luckily able to catch the last bus.
fortunately

Used to express relief or gratitude that something good happened, often in a broader or planned context.

  • Fortunately, the weather was perfect for our picnic.
  • She fortunately received the loan approval just in time for her purchase.
thankfully

Used when expressing gratitude that something good happened or that something bad did not happen. It often implies relief.

  • Thankfully, no one was injured in the accident.
  • He was thankfully able to find his way back after getting lost.
mercifully

Used to express relief that something bad did not happen or was stopped. It often has connotations of avoiding suffering.

  • Mercifully, the storm passed without causing any serious damage.
  • She mercifully ended the conversation before it became too heated.

Examples of usage

  • She had luckily left the building before the earthquake struck.
  • Luckily, we were able to find a hotel room at the last minute.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a lucky manner

In a lucky manner; by good luck.

Synonyms

fortuitously, providentially, successfully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
luckily

Use this word in casual or informal settings to express relief or happiness that something turned out well by chance.

  • Luckily, we found another restaurant that was open late.
  • She luckily avoided the traffic jam by taking a different route.
successfully

This word is used when conveying that something was completed or achieved as intended without referring to luck or chance.

  • She successfully defended her thesis in front of the committee.
  • They successfully launched the new product last month.
fortuitously

This word is more formal and is used to describe something happening by chance in a way that is lucky or favorable.

  • Fortuitously, the meeting was postponed, giving me more time to prepare.
  • They fortuitously found the exact place they were looking for.
providentially

Use this word to describe something that happens by divine intervention or remarkably good luck; often carries a religious or spiritual connotation.

  • Providentially, they received just enough funding to complete their project.
  • He was providentially saved from the accident by an unexpected delay.

Examples of usage

  • She luckily guessed the correct answer.
  • He luckily avoided the oncoming car.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, characters often say 'luckily' before revealing a twist of fate that saves them from trouble.
  • Song lyrics frequently incorporate the word to convey moments of serendipity, emphasizing the role of chance in life.

Psychology

  • Studies show that people who describe good events as 'luckily' tend to have a more positive outlook and better mental health.
  • The concept of luck can influence decision-making, as individuals may attribute certain outcomes to chance rather than effort.

Literature

  • Writers often use 'luckily' to transition in a narrative, indicating a fortunate turn of events in the plot.
  • Classic fairy tales often feature 'luck' as a key element, where characters encounter unexpected fortune, teaching readers about hope and serendipity.

Language Usage

  • The word 'luckily' is often used to start sentences that describe a reversal of bad luck, like 'Luckily, I found an umbrella when it started to rain.'
  • 'Luckily' helps convey a sense of relief or happiness, enhancing the emotional tone of the conversation.

Origin of 'luckily'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the noun 'luck,' which has origins in the Middle Dutch word 'luc,' meaning 'happiness' or 'fortune.'
  • Initially used in English around the 16th century, it evolved to express favorable circumstances unexpected by the person involved.

The word 'luckily' originates from the word 'luck', which comes from Middle Dutch 'luc', meaning happiness or good fortune. It has been used in the English language since the 15th century, evolving over time to become the adverb 'luckily' to describe fortunate or successful events.

See also: luck, lucky, unluckily, unlucky.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,415, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.