fortunately
fortunately
Pronunciation
fortunately /fɔːrtʃənətli/
for- /fɔːr/
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
/ɔː/ - open-mid back rounded vowel (as in "thought")
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
-tu- /tʃə/
/tʃ/ - voiceless post-alveolar affricate (as in "church")
/ə/ - schwa (unstressed vowel sound)
-nate- /nət/
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
/ə/ - schwa
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
-ly /li/
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/i/ - close front unrounded vowel (as in "happy")
Word Form Variations
The term "fortunately" is an adverb. Adverbs do not typically have singular, plural, or other grammatical variations in the same way nouns or verbs do.
However, related word forms include:
fortune (noun) - singular
fortunes (noun) - plural
fortunate (adjective)
unfortunate (adjective)
unfortunately (adverb)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
fortunately
By good luck; as a result of a favorable circumstance or event.
Synonyms: luckily, providentially, auspiciously, propitiously
Antonyms: unfortunately, regrettably, sadly, unluckily
In a way that is pleasing or welcome, often alleviating a potential problem or negative outcome.
Synonyms: thankfully, happily, opportunely, conveniently
Antonyms: inconveniently, unhappily, disappointingly
Examples of Use
Books: "Fortunately, the storm passed quickly, leaving behind only a few fallen branches and a renewed sense of calm." (From The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, originally published in 1911)
Newspapers: "Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the accident on the highway this morning, though traffic was backed up for miles." (As might appear in a local newspaper, e.g., The Daily Chronicle, May 2024)
Online Publications: "Fortunately for consumers, the price of gasoline has seen a steady decline over the past few weeks, easing some economic burdens." (As seen in an article from Reuters, June 2024)
Television (Dialogue): "Fortunately, we managed to secure the last two tickets for the concert, so our plans aren't ruined after all!" (Heard in a scene from a TV sitcom, e.g., Friends, original run 1994-2004)
Podcasts (Discussion): "Fortunately, the research team received additional funding just as their initial grant was running out, allowing them to continue their groundbreaking work." (From a science podcast, e.g., Science Friday, July 2024)
Social Media (Personal Post): "Lost my keys this morning and was panicking, but fortunately, my neighbor found them right by my door! Crisis averted. " (A personal post on Twitter/X, April 2024)
Public Discourse (Speech/Conversation): "Fortunately, the community rallied together, and we were able to raise enough funds to repair the roof of the old community center before winter set in." (Statement made by a community organizer at a town hall meeting, February 2024)
10 Quotes Using Fortunately
"You're born. You suffer. You die. Fortunately, there's a loophole." - Billy Graham
"My books are like water; those of the great geniuses are wine. (Fortunately) everybody drinks water." - Mark Twain
"Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling from others." - Albert Bandura
"I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp." - W. Somerset Maugham
"The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter—often an unconscious, but still a truthful interpreter—in the eye." - Charlotte Brontë
"Fortunately, something always remains to be harvested. So let us not be idle." - Gustav Mahler
"There is, fortunately, a minority composed of those who recognize early in their lives that the most beautiful and satisfying experiences open to humankind are not derived from the outside, but are bound up with the development of the individual's own feeling, thinking and acting." - Albert Einstein
"Fortunately, I've also been an electrician, and that's a happy memory for me." - James MacArthur
"I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them." - Joan Rivers
"Fortunately, art is a community effort - a small but select community living in a spiritualized world endeavoring to interpret the wars and the solitudes of the flesh." - Allen Ginsberg
Etymology
The word "fortunately" essentially means "by good luck." Its journey into English started a long time ago with the idea of "fortune" itself.
The core of "fortunately" comes from the Latin word "fortuna," which referred to chance, fate, or luck, and was even the name of a Roman goddess who personified luck. From "fortuna" came the Latin word "fortunatus," meaning "prospered, prosperous, lucky, or happy."
This Latin word "fortunatus" then made its way into English as the adjective "fortunate" around the late 14th century (specifically, the Oxford English Dictionary notes its earliest use around 1386, in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer). At this point, "fortunate" meant "having good fortune" or "bringing good fortune."
Finally, to turn "fortunate" into an adverb – describing how something happened – the suffix "-ly" was added. This suffix is commonly used in English to create adverbs from adjectives (like "quick" becoming "quickly").
So, "fortunately" was formed in English by taking the adjective "fortunate" and adding "-ly." The earliest known use of "fortunately" as we understand it today dates back to the mid-1500s, specifically recorded in 1548. Its initial meaning was simply "by (good) fortune."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fortunately
Fortunately for you... (implies a benefit to the person addressed)
Fortunately enough... (emphasizes that the good luck was sufficient)
Fortunately, as luck would have it... (redundant but emphasizes serendipity)
As luck would have it, fortunately... (another way to combine the ideas)
Thank goodness for small mercies. (expresses relief for minor good fortune in a difficult situation)
Count your blessings. (advising someone to appreciate what they have, similar to acknowledging good fortune)
It's a stroke of luck. (describes a sudden piece of good fortune)
The stars aligned. (idiom for an exceptionally fortunate confluence of events)
Everything came up roses. (idiom meaning everything turned out wonderfully)
By the grace of God. (implies divine good fortune or intervention)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fortunately from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
