FORTUNATE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does fortunate mean? 

• FORTUNATE (adjective)
  The adjective FORTUNATE has 3 senses:

1. having unexpected good fortune

2. supremely favored

3. presaging good fortune

  Familiarity information: FORTUNATE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORTUNATE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having unexpected good fortune

Context example:

a fortunate choice

Similar:

better off (in a more fortunate or prosperous condition)

felicitous; happy (marked by good fortune)

fortuitous (occurring by happy chance)

good; well (resulting favorably)

heaven-sent; miraculous; providential (peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention)

lucky (occurring by chance)

well-off (fortunately situated)

Also:

lucky (having or bringing good fortune)

privileged (blessed with privileges)

successful (having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome)

Antonym:

unfortunate (not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Supremely favored

Synonyms:

fortunate; golden

Context example:

fortunate son

Similar:

blessed; blest (highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Presaging good fortune

Synonyms:

fortunate; rosy

Context example:

rosy predictions

Similar:

auspicious (auguring favorable circumstances and good luck)

 Context examples 

Have you any idea how fortunate you will be in March?

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Even in the sick chamber the fortunate Mary was not forgotten.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

This was finally fortunate; the horse was re-established, and the dog was silenced with a "Down, Pilot!"

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The fortunate sale of several storiettes, some humorous verse, and a few jokes gave Martin a temporary splurge of prosperity.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The last of these voyages not proving very fortunate, I grew weary of the sea, and intended to stay at home with my wife and family.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

“He is a most fortunate man!” returned Mr. Knightley, with energy.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

It is fortunate that you are old schoolfellows, as you must have much to talk over.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We are fortunate, indeed, in having you at our side.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"It was fortunate they had no children," Messner continued.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)