fortuitous
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “fortuitous” mean?
adjective.happening by accident or chance rather than design.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in contexts involving chance encounters, unexpected outcomes, or serendipitous events, emphasizing the randomness of a situation rather than a deliberate plan. It suggests a positive connotation of luck or favorable coincidence, distinguishing it from similar terms like "unplanned," which lacks the nuance of beneficial serendipity.
Common Confusions
Fortuitous implies a fortunate outcome arising from chance, while incidental usually suggests something secondary or unimportant that occurs alongside a main event without the positive connotation of luck.
Do not choose fortuitous if the context emphasizes careful planning or intention rather than happening by accident or chance.
Example Sentences
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Their meeting was purely fortuitous, with no planning involved.