fortunatelyadv.
/ˈfɔːtʃn̩ətli/, /ˈfɔːtjᵿnətli/, U.S. /ˈfɔrtʃ(ə)nətli/ In a fortunate manner; by or with good fortune, happily, luckily, successfully. In modern use often qualifying the whole sentence, intimating that the fact stated is fortunate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [adverb] > fortunately or luckily
happilya1375
graciouslya1382
blessedlyc1420
happenlyc1450
faira1475
luckly1538
fortunately1548
fortunably?1567
luckily1590
providently1600
comiclya1633
providentially1648
comically1717
well-favouredly1773
serendipitously1969
good-enough1982
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. liiii After this victorye fortunately obteined.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. (1609) ii. xvi. 54 In that yeare the Romanes fought with the Sabines fortunatelie [L. bene pugnatum].
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 3 These Adam-wits, too fortunately free, Began to dream they wanted libertie.
1706 Hist. Picts (ESTC T142053) ii. 12 These Roman Emperors who Warred fortunatly against them.
1795 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity (ed. 3) I. i. iv. 82 When, fortunately for their preservation, they were not found at home.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 122 Fortunately, Lord De la War..met them the day after they had sailed.
1855 J. L. Motley Rise Dutch Republic (1864) I. 171 As vacillating and incompetent a statesman as he was prompt and fortunately audacious in the field.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 72 I fortunately possessed a box of wax matches.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adv.1548