Serendipity Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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serendipity

[หŒsษ›rษ™nหˆdษชpษชti ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

happy accident

Serendipity refers to the occurrence of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. It is often used to describe unexpected discoveries that lead to positive outcomes. The term encapsulates the idea of finding something valuable or delightful when one is not specifically looking for it.

Synonyms

chance, coincidence, fluke, fortune.

Examples of usage

  • Their meeting was pure serendipity.
  • The invention of Post-it notes was a delightful moment of serendipity.
  • She stumbled upon an old book that turned out to be a serendipity for her research.

Translations

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Origin of 'serendipity'

The term 'serendipity' was coined by the English author Horace Walpole in a letter written in 1754. He derived it from the title of a fairy tale, 'The Three Princes of Serendip', which tells the story of three princes who make unexpected discoveries through their adventures. The word 'Serendip' is an old name for Sri Lanka, which was known for its rich resources and opportunities for trade. Walpole used the word to describe how the princes often stumbled upon valuable knowledge or discoveries by chance. Over time, the term has evolved and is now used broadly in various contexts, particularly in science and creativity, highlighting the value of unexpected but fortunate outcomes.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,905 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.