Serendipitously Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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serendipitously

[ˌserənˈdipədəsli ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

happening by chance in a happy or beneficial way

Serendipitously is an adverb that describes something happening by chance in a happy or beneficial way. It implies a pleasant surprise or fortunate discovery.

Synonyms

accidentally, fortuitously, unexpectedly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
serendipitously	Use when something good happens by chance, often referring to unexpected discoveries that are beneficial or pleasant. She discovered a hidden talent for painting serendipitously when she joined an art class for fun. The scientists found the cure serendipitously while researching something else.
fortuitously	Implies something positive that happened by chance, stressing the randomness of the event that led to a beneficial outcome. They met fortuitously at a conference and ended up starting a successful business together. Fortuitously, she found a $20 bill on the street exactly when she needed it.
unexpectedly	Describes something that happens without anticipation, in any context, but doesn’t necessarily imply either good or bad outcomes. He arrived unexpectedly at the party. The power went out unexpectedly during the storm.
accidentally	Used when something happens by mistake or without intention, often implying carelessness or an unplanned result. He accidentally spilled coffee on his shirt. I accidentally dialed the wrong number.

Examples of usage

The two friends serendipitously ran into each other at the airport.
She serendipitously found a $20 bill on the sidewalk.
The project was successful, thanks to some serendipitously timed events.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Science

Many scientific breakthroughs have been made serendipitously, like penicillin, discovered accidentally by Alexander Fleming.
The creation of the microwave oven was a happy accident when Percy Spencer noticed a chocolate bar melting in his pocket from radio waves.
The discovery of Teflon occurred when chemist Roy Plunkett stumbled upon it while working on refrigeration gases.

Pop Culture

The film 'Serendipity' (2001) explores the idea of chance encounters leading to love and destiny.
Musical artists often find inspiration serendipitously, as many hit songs began as unintended or unreleased tracks.
Serendipity has become a popular theme in modern romance novels and movies, emphasizing love found unexpectedly.

Literature

In literature, serendipity often drives the plot, leading characters to unexpected but positive outcomes.
Classic works like 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' highlight themes of unexpected discoveries in bizarre, whimsical ways.
Many authors encourage readers to embrace serendipity in their lives, suggesting that happy accidents can lead to creativity and new ideas.

Origin of 'serendipitously'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from 'Serendip,' an old name for Sri Lanka, used in a story by Horace Walpole in 1754.
Walpole used it to describe the surprising discoveries made by the three princes of Serendip in a fairy tale.
The term reflects the notion of fortunate accidents or discoveries that happen unexpectedly.

The word 'serendipitously' is derived from the term 'serendipity', which was coined by the English writer Horace Walpole in the 18th century. Walpole created the word based on the Persian fairy tale 'The Three Princes of Serendip', in which the princes make discoveries by accident. The concept of serendipity has since evolved to describe fortunate coincidences or unexpected discoveries.