providential

American  

[prov-i-den-shuhl] / ˌprɒv ɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resulting from divine providence.

   providential care.

2. opportune, fortunate, or lucky.

   a providential event.

   Synonyms:

   happy

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providential British  

/ ˌprɒvɪˈdɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. relating to, characteristic of, or presumed to proceed from or as if from divine providence

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Other Word Forms

• nonprovidential adjective
• nonprovidentially adverb
• providentially adverb
• unprovidential adjective
• unprovidentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of providential

1640–50; < Latin prōvidenti ( a ) providence + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Dreisbach notes the powerful importance of the Exodus story of providential liberation and deliverance as the model for Americans’ rebellion against Britain’s pharaonic royalty.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Over the last few days, many people have said it was a providential moment.”

From BBC

"Many people say it was a providential moment. It probably was."

From BBC

He calls his two decades on Capitol Hill a “providential” appointment, but says his long tenure was unanticipated.

From Washington Times

The show had perhaps been conceived “in a completely different setting, with a different message,” she said, according to a news release, but it was “all the more providential to open this exhibition today.”

From New York Times