fortune

fortune — noun

1. Money or valuable property that adds up to a sum big enough to make someone rich

1.nounB1
Definition

Money or valuable property that adds up to a sum big enough to make someone rich or to pay for an extremely costly purchase.

Example

After the company went public, Vikram made a fortune from his shares.

make a fortune — earn a large amount of money

The antique clock from my grandmother is worth a small fortune.

worth a small fortune — very valuable

Common collocations
  • make a fortune
  • cost a fortune
  • worth a fortune
  • spend a fortune
  • inherit a fortune
  • family fortune
  • personal fortune
  • small fortune
Synonyms
  • wealth

    broader and more neutral; describes a lasting state of riches rather than a specific large sum

  • riches

    more literary and concrete, often suggesting gold, jewellery, or treasure

  • prosperity

    focuses on the condition of doing well financially rather than a specific amount

Antonyms
  • poverty

    the state of being very poor

Grammar Patterns

make a fortune

cost a fortune

worth a fortune

inherit a fortune

Usage Note

Unlike 'wealth', which describes a general state of having abundant resources, 'fortune' specifically refers to a single large sum or collection of assets, often life-changing in scale. Common in fixed expressions: 'make a fortune', 'cost a fortune', 'spend a fortune', 'inherit a fortune'.

Common Mistakes

I spent a fortune on lunch today.
I spent a lot on lunch today.
'fortune' is too strong for small amounts; use 'a lot' or 'a ton' for ordinary expenses.

2. The force or principle that controls events in a person's life, especially when

2.nounB2
Definition

The force or principle that controls events in a person's life, especially when those events are considered good or bad and happen without being planned.

Example

By a stroke of good fortune, Apinya found her lost wallet on the train platform.

a stroke of good fortune — a lucky unexpected event

The fortune of the Watanabe family changed completely after the earthquake.

fortune of — the overall life circumstances of

Common collocations
  • good fortune
  • bad fortune
  • by fortune
  • stroke of fortune
  • fortune smiles on
  • change of fortune
  • fortune favours
Synonyms
  • luck

    more informal and everyday; usually refers to single events rather than long-term circumstances

  • fate

    stronger sense of inevitability and predetermined outcome; less about random chance

  • destiny

    suggests a grand, meaningful plan rather than neutral chance

Grammar Patterns

by fortune

good fortune / bad fortune

a stroke of fortune

fortune smiles on

Usage Note

Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'by fortune', 'good fortune', 'bad fortune', and 'a stroke of fortune'. Can be personified in literary contexts ('Fortune smiled on...'). Unlike 'fate', 'fortune' does not necessarily imply inevitability — it suggests random chance that can change over time.

3. A person's predicted future life events, especially those described by a fortune

3.nounB2
Definition

A person's predicted future life events, especially those described by a fortune-teller after studying the palm of the hand, interpreting a deck of cards, or using other methods of divination.

Example

Lauren had her fortune told at the night market and left feeling both curious and uneasy.

have your fortune told — ask a fortune-teller for predictions

The fortune-teller studied Min's palm and described a fortune involving travel across the sea.

Common collocations
  • tell someone's fortune
  • read someone's fortune
  • have your fortune told
  • fortune-teller
Synonyms
  • prediction

    more general, used in any context (weather, sports, economics) without supernatural implications

  • prophecy

    more serious and religious in tone; suggests a divinely inspired message

Grammar Patterns

tell someone's fortune

read someone's fortune

have your fortune told

Usage Note

Almost always appears within the fixed expressions 'tell someone's fortune', 'read someone's fortune', or 'have your fortune told'. Rarely used as a standalone noun — you would not say 'my fortune is to move abroad' unless you were quoting a fortune-teller's exact prediction.

Idioms

a hostage to fortune

idiom

Something that you own or have promised to do that might cause problems later.

Maya's promise to fund the project became a hostage to fortune.

Buying that old house turned into a hostage to fortune for Diego.

seek your fortune

idiom

To go to a different place hoping to become rich.

Aiden left his small town to seek his fortune in the city.

Did Sara seek her fortune when she moved to London?

fortune — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Fortune, wealth, riches, and prosperity all refer to having abundant money or resources, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Fortune' emphasizes a single large sum or collection of assets — often life-changing — and appears in everyday expressions like 'make a fortune' or 'cost a fortune.' 'Wealth' is broader and more neutral, describing a lasting state of having ample resources, whether money, land, or investments. 'Riches' has a more literary and concrete feel, often evoking gold, jewels, and treasure chests rather than bank accounts. 'Prosperity' shifts the focus from the amount of money to the condition of thriving financially, combining wealth with success and well-being. For example: 'She made a fortune in the tech industry' (a specific financial gain); but 'The region enjoyed decades of peace and prosperity' (broad economic health).

fortune ↗wealth ↗richesprosperity ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • good fortune
  • bad fortune

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Fortune entered English in the 13th century from Old French, which borrowed it from Latin 'fortuna' meaning 'luck, fate, chance, or wealth.' The Latin word is related to 'fors' meaning 'chance' or 'luck.' Originally, the English word carried mainly the sense of 'chance' or 'luck,' and the meaning of 'wealth' developed later — reflecting the old idea that prosperity was something that came to you by fortune rather than by effort alone.