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.
An empty home was struck in May, but fortunately no one was inside. — Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 Kiko Milano Eyeshadow Stick’s formula fortunately adheres perfectly to the lids. — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Culturally, college football scratches the human itch for tribalism, which America’s ethos of individualism fortunately discourages. — George F. Will, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 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 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
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Cite this Entry

“Fortunately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortunately. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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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