Cool MateFortunate vs We got really lucky
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fortunate
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
We got really lucky
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: FortunateMost common: We got really lucky
| Fortunate | We got really lucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈfɔː.tʃən.ət//🇺🇸 //ˈfɔr.tʃən.ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wiː ɡɒt ˈrɪəli ˈlʌki//🇺🇸 //wi ɡɑt ˈrɪli ˈlʌki// |
| Meaning | Having good luck or favorable circumstances | We had good luck. |
| Example | She was fortunate to find such a wonderful job. | We got really lucky at the casino last night. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | fortunate coincidence, fortunate opportunity, fortunate timing | got lucky, really lucky, feeling lucky |
| Antonyms | unfortunate, unlucky | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'fortunate' with 'fortunate enough', which emphasizes the degree of good luck., Using 'fortunate' as a noun incorrectly., Overusing 'fortunate' instead of simpler synonyms like 'lucky' in casual contexts. | Using 'luck' instead of 'lucky' (e.g., 'We got really luck')., Misusing in formal contexts without modification (e.g., 'We got really lucky in the presentation'). |
| Usage notes | Use 'fortunate' to describe people or situations that have good outcomes. Avoid using it in negative contexts. | Used in casual conversation to express unexpected good fortune. Not suitable for formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fortunate vs We got really lucky
What's the difference between Fortunate and We got really lucky?
Fortunate: Having good luck or favorable circumstances We got really lucky: We had good luck.
Which is more formal: Fortunate and We got really lucky?
Fortunate is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Fortunate and We got really lucky?
We got really lucky is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fortunate: She was fortunate to find such a wonderful job. We got really lucky: We got really lucky at the casino last night.
Can I use Fortunate and We got really lucky interchangeably?
Not always. Fortunate and We got really lucky are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.