fortunately

fortunately — adverb

1. used to say that something good or lucky happens, especially when the opposite c

1.adverbB1
Definition

used to say that something good or lucky happens, especially when the opposite could easily have happened instead

Example

Fortunately, a kind stranger found Kabir's lost wallet and returned it to him.

sentence-initial: modifies whole clause

The flight was delayed, but fortunately Sivan had already arrived at the gate.

mid-clause after 'but'

Common collocations
  • fortunately for
  • but fortunately
  • fortunately, however
  • fortunately enough
Synonyms
  • luckily

    the closest synonym, interchangeable in nearly all contexts

  • thank goodness

    more informal, expresses emotional relief rather than neutral observation

  • by good fortune

    more formal register, less common in everyday speech

  • happily

    overlaps when the outcome is both lucky and pleasing, but can also describe non-luck-based positive results

Antonyms
  • unfortunately

    the direct opposite, used in the same sentence-adverb position

  • sadly

    more emotional, conveys disappointment rather than bad luck

  • regrettably

    more formal, often used for outcomes caused by human decisions rather than chance

Usage Note

Commonly placed at the start of a sentence or clause, but can also appear mid-clause after a conjunction such as 'but' or 'and'. The adverb modifies the entire statement, not a single verb or noun.

Common Mistakes

It is fortunately that I brought an umbrella.
Fortunately, I brought an umbrella.
'fortunately' is an adverb, not an adjective; use 'fortunate' (It is fortunate that…) or place 'fortunately' at the start of the clause.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four alternatives express that something positive happened due to good luck or favourable conditions, but they differ in formality and nuance. 'Luckily' is the closest synonym to 'fortunately' and can be used interchangeably in most contexts — both are neutral in register and fit any situation where chance played a role. 'Thank goodness' is more informal and conveys emotional relief, often in conversational settings ('Thank goodness you're safe!'). 'Mercifully' adds a sense that something unpleasant was avoided by a narrow margin, carrying a tone of deliverance ('Mercifully, the pain stopped after an hour'). 'Happily' overlaps when the outcome is both lucky and pleasing, but it can also describe a desired result that has nothing to do with luck ('The team happily accepted the invitation'). For a neutral, all-purpose choice, use 'fortunately' or 'luckily'; reserve 'thank goodness' for informal speech, 'mercifully' for near-misses, and 'happily' when the pleasant result matters more than the role of chance.

luckily ↗thank goodness ↗mercifullyhappily ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • but fortunately
  • fortunately for someone
  • fortunately enough
  • fortunately, however

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Derived from the Latin adjective 'fortunatus' meaning 'favoured by fortune', from 'fortuna' (fortune, luck, fate — originally the name of the Roman goddess of luck). The adjective 'fortunate' entered English through French in the 14th century, and the adverb 'fortunately' (adding the -ly suffix) appeared in the 16th century. The core idea — that events are shaped by luck rather than effort — has remained stable for over 400 years.