felicitous

[ fi-lis-i-tuhs ]

/ fɪˈlɪs ɪ təs /

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See synonyms for: felicitous / felicitously / felicitousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

well-suited for the occasion, as an action, manner, or expression; apt; appropriate: The chairman's felicitous anecdote set everyone at ease.

having a special ability for suitable manner or expression, as a person.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of felicitous

First recorded in 1725–35; felicit(y) + -ous

words often confused with felicitous

See fortuitous.

OTHER WORDS FROM felicitous

fe·lic·i·tous·ly, adverbfe·lic·i·tous·ness, nounnon·fe·lic·i·tous, adjectivenon·fe·lic·i·tous·ly, adverb

non·fe·lic·i·tous·ness, nounun·fe·lic·i·tous, adjectiveun·fe·lic·i·tous·ly, adverbun·fe·lic·i·tous·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH felicitous

felicitous , fortuitous, fortunate (see confusables note at fortuitous)

Words nearby felicitous

Felicia, felicific, felicitate, felicitation, felicitations, felicitous, felicity, felid, feline, feline distemper, feline leukemia virus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use felicitous in a sentence

What a felicitous choice of words: was it a coincidence that the Democratic opponent was a woman?
The Indispensible Nancy Pelosi|Robert Shrum|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sulzberger has been, at times, less than felicitous in his explanations.
Arthur Sulzberger's NYT Paywall Defense|Nick Summers|April 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Bits of drawing caught his attention, a free, felicitous line here and there evoking an approving grunt.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
There is a pleasant fiction that we have morning excursions, daily; but history records but three such felicitous events.
Alone|Marion Harland

"Only at the felicitous ingenuity of your highness's idea," answered the interpreter, pointing to the placard.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
In connection with Chopin's production of tone, I must not omit to mention his felicitous utilisation of the loud and soft pedals.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
Thus again Washington, with felicitous expression, points a paragraph at the 'chimney-corner heroes.'
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2|Egerton Ryerson

British Dictionary definitions for felicitous

felicitous

/ (fɪˈlɪsɪtəs) /

adjective

well-chosen; apt

possessing an agreeable style

producing or marked by happiness

Derived forms of felicitous

felicitously, adverbfelicitousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

felicitous

Origin of felicitous

words often confused with felicitous

OTHER WORDS FROM felicitous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH felicitous

Words nearby felicitous

Words related to felicitous

How to use felicitous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for felicitous

Derived forms of felicitous