providential

American

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

adjective

of, relating to, or resulting from divine providence.

providential care.
opportune, fortunate, or lucky.

a providential event.

Synonyms:

happy

providential British

/ ˌprɒvɪˈdɛnʃəl /

adjective

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

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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 • Dec. 22, 2025

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

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2024

Everything else, he seemed to suggest, will follow, almost automatically, from that providential arrival.

From Slate • Jul. 19, 2024

Instead of communicating with a cop, he exchanges information with Trudy via providential walkie-talkies.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2022

His sudden return had been providential after all.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023