fortunately

American  

[fawr-chuh-nit-lee] / ˈfɔr tʃə nɪt li /

adverb

1. it is fortunate that.

   The groceries cost more than I thought they would, but fortunately I had just enough money with me.

---

fortunately British  

/ ˈfɔːtʃənɪtlɪ /

adverb

1. (sentence modifier) it is fortunate that; luckily

2. in a fortunate manner

---

Etymology

Origin of fortunately

First recorded in 1540–60; fortunate ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

He peered up and down the street— fortunately, nobody was around to see them.

From Literature

But fortunately, the invaluable Eloquence company from Australia recently issued most of her recordings in a 14-disc “Aafje Heynis Edition,” and no set has brought me such pleasure in a long time.

From The Wall Street Journal

And fortunately for their self-esteem, investors are increasingly likely to buy and sell exchange-traded funds tracking whole sectors rather than individual stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

He needs to rest, and the only accommodation we can find for the night is a stretch of green meadow, where the grass fortunately is soft.

From Literature

That building was destroyed by bombings during World War II, but fortunately the collection’s most important works, including the Bellini, had been stored elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal