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.

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fortunately British  

/ ˈfɔːtʃənɪtlɪ /

adverb

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

2. in a fortunate manner

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Etymology

Origin of fortunately

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

Example Sentences

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 • Feb. 2, 2026

Fascist regimes of the last century were much shorter-lived, fortunately.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

But fortunately, I’ve been very interested in two new themes that are going to be sure to produce blockbusters, which is memory and regret.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

In a statement following the inquiry announcement, the trust told the BBC the vast majority of births at Leeds were safe, and deaths of mothers and babies were fortunately very rare.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

The inhabitants met them with kindness and gave them their flower-food to eat, but those who tasted it, only a few fortunately, lost their longing for home.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton