fortunate
- Lucky; having good things happen to you that you did not necessarily earn.
In a sentence
- We were fortunate that the rain stopped just before the outdoor concert began.
- She felt fortunate to have such kind and supportive friends.
Usage note. 'Fortunate' is slightly more formal than 'lucky' and is often used to express gratitude; 'I am fortunate to have...' is a common polite construction.
Where it comes from
English fortunate · entered English 15th c.
From Latin 'fortunatus,' meaning favored by fortune or lucky, derived from 'fortuna' (luck, chance, fate), and ultimately from 'fors' (chance). It entered English via Latin in the 15th century.