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good fortune

good fortune

66 2.5
A lucky event or success that happens by chance
  • noun
  • /ɡʊd ˈfɔːrtʃən/
translation icon : buena suerte
  • Winning the lottery is an example of good fortune that can change someone's life overnight.
  • have the good fortune to
  • enjoy good fortune
  • owe good fortune to

And so I've had the good fortune of leading Bryce, our CEO.

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Examples

Synonyms

good luck
vsgood fortune
547 1.0

A fortunate event that happens by chance

is the more formal phrase for the same idea
fortune
vsgood fortune
235 3.1

Good or bad luck that happens by chance

is limited to positive success resulting from favorable chance rather than any force
in luck
vsgood fortune
36 1.6

Having something good happen by chance

expresses the general notion of success from favorable chance rather than a current state
fluke
vsgood fortune
32 5.1

An unexpected good event that happens by chance

means the general idea of success from favorable circumstances
serendipity
vsgood fortune
15 7.9

A happy chance event that brings good results

focuses more narrowly on success or good outcomes from favorable circumstances
lucky break
vsgood fortune
  • Informal
13 3.2

A sudden chance that helps you succeed

refers more broadly to success from favorable chance or circumstances
dumb luck
vsgood fortune
  • Informal
8 3.9

Good luck that happens by chance, not because you worked for it

is the general idea of success from favorable circumstances without stressing skill
stroke of luck
vsgood fortune
8 3.2

A sudden lucky event that brings good results

covers success from favorable chance rather than single sudden events
happy chance
vsgood fortune
3.9

A lucky unexpected event that brings something good

is the broader notion of success caused by favorable circumstances
jammy stroke of luck
vsgood fortune
  • Slang
9.5

An unexpected good thing that happens by chance

is the neutral, general term without the informal tone
devil's luck
vsgood fortune
  • Informal
7.5

Very good luck that happens by chance and seems undeserved

is the neutral concept of success from favorable circumstances without moral surprise

Antonyms

166 1.0

Unlucky events that happen by chance

75 3.7

A bad event that causes trouble

How Lucky

windfall
35 5.1
good fortune
66 2.5
to luck
30 6.6
bad luck
166 1.0

Surface Forms

good fortune singular
good fortunes plural

Morphology

good + fortune

The meaning 'luck or success' is directly and predictably derived from combining 'good' (positive/favorable) with 'fortune' (luck), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer it refers to favorable luck. This adjective+noun composition is regular in English and mirrored in many other languages, making the phrase clearly transparent.

Etymology

Good fortune joins good and fortune, where fortune was a word people used for 'luck'. People often imagined luck as a turning wheel, so when that wheel turned your way you had 'good fortune', meaning a lucky or successful event.