Fortuitous vs. Fortunate

Fortuitous vs. Fortunate

The words fortuitous and fortunate are two terms that are often mixed up by writers. This may be because their meanings have something to do with luck and chance.

The word fortuitous is commonly used as an adjective that means “happening by accident or chance rather than design.” Its synonyms include accidental, unplanned, and coincidental.

Arsenal news: We’re conceding too many fortuitous goals, admits Petr Cech
The Independent

Episcopal finally gets a fortuitous bounce and knocks off Bullis on senior night
Washington Post

Fortuitous chat pays off in exemption into this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson Classic
Sacramento Bee

However, it may sometimes be used informally to mean “happening by a lucky chance” or as a synonym to fortunate.

A fortuitous find
Dalhousie University News

West Ham thanking their lucky stars after fortuitous home win over Hull
ESPN FC

Lucky bamboo: A fortuitous plant for Chinese New Year
Chicago Tribune

On the other hand, the term fortunate is used as an adjective meaning “favored by or involving good luck or fortune” or “bringing some good thing not foreseen as certain.” Its synonyms include lucky, auspicious, and favorable.

Singapore fortunate to have an equal, multiracial society
The Straits Times

Kids read to provide sheep and goats to less fortunate
Port Townsend Leader

Rescue crews say Prius driver fortunate after San Rafael bus accident
KGO-TV

Despite this original distinction, current writers use fortuitous and fortunate interchangeably. If you want to retain the traditional meanings of the words, remember that anything that happened by chance or accident is fortuitious, while people or events that are favored by good luck are fortunate.