fortunately

adverb

for·​tu·​nate·​ly ˈfȯr-chə-nət-lē How to pronounce fortunately (audio)
ˈfȯrch-nət-lē
Synonyms of fortunatelynext
1
: in a fortunate manner
2
: it is fortunate that
Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Examples of fortunately in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bleachers were inspected and determined to be safe to use, fortunately, for Friday’s boys football game against Hammond’s Morton High School. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 Fortunately for the anxious among us, and less fortunately for those still loyal to the dying rituals of interpersonal correspondence, Cynthia has recently moved to online reservations. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 The result has been at least 26 hospitalizations but fortunately no deaths reported. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 The second-year quarterback fortunately cleared the protocol, returned to the game and threw a touchdown pass to rookie receiver Malachi Fields. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortunately

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fortunately was in 1548

Rhymes for fortunately

See All Rhymes for fortunately

Browse Nearby Words

fortunate
fortunately
fortunateness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortunately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortunately. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

fortunately

adverb
for·​tun·​ate·​ly
ˈfȯrch-(ə-)nət-lē
: it is fortunate : luckily
fortunately it landed right side up

More from Merriam-Webster on fortunately

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fortunately

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