luckyluck‧y /ˈlʌki/ ●●● S2 W3 adjective (comparative luckier, superlative luckiest) 
The children were lucky to survive the fire which destroyed their home.lucky enough to do something those of us lucky enough to own our own homeslucky if I’ll be lucky if I get any of my money back.lucky (that) I was tremendously lucky that I didn’t die in the accident.lucky with We’ve been very lucky with the weather.count/consider/think yourself lucky Count yourself lucky you’ve got a husband like Jack.get lucky (=be lucky on a particular occasion) You might get lucky and find a bargain.2resulting from good luck: I didn’t really know your name – it was just a lucky guess. A middle-aged woman had a lucky escape when a tree crashed down onto her car.it is lucky (that) It’s lucky that no-one was hurt.3bringing good luck: a lucky charm4lucky you/me etc spoken used to say that someone is fortunate to be able to do something: ‘My husband’s a rich man, and devoted to me.’ ‘Lucky you.’5be somebody’s lucky day spoken used to say that something good and often unexpected will happen to someone: We’re going to win. I just know it’s our lucky day6you’ll/you’d be lucky! spoken used to tell someone that what they want probably will not happen: ‘Fifty pounds should be enough.’ ‘You’ll be lucky!’7I/you should be so lucky! spoken used to tell someone that what they want is not likely to happen, especially because it is unreasonable: You want three weeks holiday? You should be so lucky! → strike it lucky at strike1(20), → thank your lucky stars at thank(3), → third time lucky at third1(2)COLLOCATIONSverbsfeel lucky· I feel so incredibly lucky to have had that experience.get lucky informal (=be lucky)· They’re not a great team - they just got lucky.count/consider/think yourself lucky (=believe that you are lucky in a particular situation)· You should count yourself lucky you weren’t seriously hurt.strike (it) lucky informal (=be lucky)· I applied for twenty jobs before I struck lucky.adverbsextremely/exceedingly/incredibly lucky (=very lucky)· Police say it was extremely lucky that no one was killed.dead lucky informal (=very lucky)· I was dead lucky to find a parking space right away.pretty lucky informal (=lucky, but not extremely lucky)· We were pretty lucky with the weather on this holiday.lucky + NOUNa lucky winner· The lucky winner of the competition will be announced next week.a lucky man/woman/boy/girl· Your son’s a lucky man, having a father like you.the lucky ones (=lucky people, especially when compared to others who suffered)· They considered themselves the lucky ones because they escaped with only minor injuries.phrasesbe lucky enough to do something (=have the good luck to do something)· I was lucky enough to be selected for the school team.THESAURUSlucky happening because of good luck, or bringing you good luck: · a lucky guess· Seven is considered a lucky number.· It’s lucky that I’ve got some spare keys.· Italy got a lucky goal in the last five minutes of the game.· ‘How did you know he’d be there?’ ‘It was a lucky guess.’fortunate happening because of good luck. Fortunate is more formal than lucky: · It was extremely fortunate that there was no one in the building when the bomb went off.· I’m in the fortunate position of doing a job I love.· Some plants actually prefer a lot of shade, which is fortunate for gardeners choosing plants for gloomy corners.it’s a good thing (that) (also it’s a good job (that) British English) spoken used when saying that there would have been problems if something had not happened: · It’s a good thing that you brought an umbrella with you.· It’s a good job I’m here to help.miraculous extremely lucky in a way that is almost unbelievable: · A teenager had a miraculous escape last night when the car she was travelling in overturned.· The doctor gave her a month to live but she made a miraculous recovery.· It was miraculous that no one was seriously injured in the accident.fortuitous /fɔːˈtjuːɪtəs/ formal happening because of good luck: · a fortuitous decision· a fortuitous coincidence· It was fortuitous that no one else was hurt.a fluke /fluːk/ informal something that happens by chance, not because of skill or good judgment: · The goal was a fluke.· By a fluke, he managed to get the question right.be in the right place at the right time used when saying that someone is lucky and the situation is right for them: · Making money from buying property is easy – you just have to be in the right place at the right time.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- ''It's lucky that you remembered about the passports'', said Barry as they drove away.
- "How did you know he'd be there?" "It was a lucky guess."
- a lucky rabbit's foot
- Arthur left the front door unlocked - we're lucky that nothing was stolen.
- He should count himself lucky not to have been blamed for the whole fiasco.
- I'm lucky to live in a nice house and be married to such a nice man.
- In the second half, the Red Wings scored a very lucky goal.
- Isn't she lucky - she can eat what she wants and she never gets fat.
- Italy got a lucky goal in the last five minutes of the game.
- My lucky number is seven.
- She wears his wedding ring on a chain around her neck, as a lucky charm.
- There are monkeys and zebra, and if you're lucky you might see a lion.
- Even now most scholarly journals pay nothing and you are lucky to get a fee if you talk at a conference.
- I have been lucky that my condition has progressed more slowly than is often the case.
- It was probably a lucky throw, a second cautious glance told him.
- It was then believed that if a cat crossed your path and did you no harm, you had been incredibly lucky.
- One member of the phone tree, however, was not so lucky.
- Sand lizards spend most of their time in burrows underground; we had been very lucky.
- Then there are the lucky few who, every now and then, would splash out upwards of £1,000 on a single fish.
- Yet, while Foinavon was indisputably lucky, bravery and skill also came into the reckoning.
THESAURUS
happening because of good luck, or bringing you good luck: · a lucky guess· Seven is considered a lucky number.· It’s lucky that I’ve got some spare keys.· Italy got a lucky goal in the last five minutes of the game.· ‘How did you know he’d be there?’ ‘It was a lucky guess.’
happening because of good luck. Fortunate is more formal than lucky: · It was extremely fortunate that there was no one in the building when the bomb went off.· I’m in the fortunate position of doing a job I love.· Some plants actually prefer a lot of shade, which is fortunate for gardeners choosing plants for gloomy corners.
(also it’s a good job (that) British English) spoken used when saying that there would have been problems if something had not happened: · It’s a good thing that you brought an umbrella with you.· It’s a good job I’m here to help.
extremely lucky in a way that is almost unbelievable: · A teenager had a miraculous escape last night when the car she was travelling in overturned.· The doctor gave her a month to live but she made a miraculous recovery.· It was miraculous that no one was seriously injured in the accident.
formal happening because of good luck: · a fortuitous decision· a fortuitous coincidence· It was fortuitous that no one else was hurt.
informal something that happens by chance, not because of skill or good judgment: · The goal was a fluke.· By a fluke, he managed to get the question right.
used when saying that someone is lucky and the situation is right for them: · Making money from buying property is easy – you just have to be in the right place at the right time.
Longman Language Activatora lucky person if you are lucky , good things happen to you and things go well for you, because you have good luck and not because of hard work, careful planning etc: · Isn't she lucky - she can eat what she wants and she never gets fat.· There are monkeys and zebra, and if you're lucky you might see a lion.lucky to do something: · I'm lucky to live in a nice house and be married to such a nice man.lucky (that): · Arthur left the front door unlocked - we're lucky that nothing was stolen.lucky with: · Apart from the sprained ankle, I've been very lucky with injuries (=I haven't had many).think/count yourself lucky (=used to say that someone should consider themselves lucky): · He should count himself lucky not to have been blamed for the whole fiasco.
lucky, especially when you are luckier than other people. Fortunate is more formal than lucky: · David managed to escape, but the others were not so fortunate.fortunate to do something: · I am fortunate to work in a school where all the children are extremely motivated.
British informal use this about someone who is lucky to be able to do something, when you are jealous because you would like to do it: · That jammy devil Steve has got out of the washing up again.
to be lucky, especially because you get the thing that you wanted although you did not really expect to get it: · You're in luck, there are still a few tickets left.· If you like Californian wine you could be in luck - we are giving away 100 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.
you say some people have all the luck when you are talking about someone who is always very lucky, especially when you are jealous of their good luck: · It costs a fortune to buy a Porsche - some people have all the luck.
to be lucky all the time, so that although you are often in dangerous situations, it seems that nothing can harm you: · By his own admission he had led a charmed life. He had survived a train crash when he was seventeen.
British you say it's all right for some when you think someone else is lucky because they are enjoying themselves, having an easy life etc and you are jealous of them: · You're going to Hawaii? It's all right for some!· It's all right for some. I've got to stay in and work this evening.
to be lucky because you have the chance to do something you wanted to do or something that most other people do not have the chance to do: · I went along to the audition with everyone else, and was lucky enough to get the part.· In 1957 I had the good fortune to be invited on a lecture tour of Switzerland.
to be successful or get into a good situation as a result of good luck, especially after you have been experiencing difficulty: · Nathan had a series of jobs where he wasn't happy, but this time he's really fallen on his feet.· Don't worry about Nina -- she always falls on her feet.
to be lucky because you are in a particular place when something good is offered or becomes available: · "You did well to get that contract.'' "Not really, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.''· Being a successful news photographer is all about being in the right place at the right time.
American informal an expression meaning to be very lucky on a particular occasion: · I didn't have any idea what I was doing, but I lucked out and wound up with a good job.
a lucky thing that happens a lucky event happens because of good luck, and not because of hard work, careful planning etc: lucky guess/win/escape etc: · "How did you know he'd be there?" "It was a lucky guess."· Italy got a lucky goal in the last five minutes of the game.it is lucky (that): · ''It's lucky that you remembered about the passports," said Barry as they drove away.
lucky - use this especially about something that happens which saves you from danger or serious trouble. Fortunate is more formal than lucky: it is fortunate (that): · It is extremely fortunate that there was no-one in the building when the bomb went off.fortunate for: · Some plants actually prefer a lot of shade, which is fortunate for gardeners choosing plants for gloomy corners.
because of good luck - use this when something dangerous or unpleasant is avoided as a result of good luck: · I had forgotten my key, but luckily Ahmed was there and let me in.· Fortunately, there was no-one in the office when the fire started.luckily/fortunately for: · Luckily for us it didn't rain till the evening.
also it's a good job British spoken say this when something lucky happens that saves you from experiencing problems or danger: it's a good thing (that): · It's a good thing I brought my camera.· It's a good job you didn't scream.
something lucky that happens to you very unexpectedly and saves you from a difficult or inconvenient situation: · My car had broken down opposite a garage, which was a real stroke of luck.· Here's a letter from my father with a cheque inside - isn't that a stroke of luck!it is a stroke of luck (that): · It was a stroke of luck that they'd just substituted their usual penalty taker.
if it is your lucky day, night etc , you are lucky and something good happens then: · I have a feeling today's going to be my lucky day.· He kissed her again and then started up the car. Tonight was his lucky night.
use this when something very dangerous or unpleasant is avoided as a result of good luck, in a way that is almost unbelievable: · A teenager had a miraculous escape last night when the car she was travelling in overturned.· The doctor gave her a month to live but she made a miraculous recovery.it is miraculous (that): · The emergency services said it was miraculous that no-one was seriously injured.
informal something very surprising that only happens because of luck, not because of your skill or planning: · I'll have to win more than once, otherwise people will think it was a fluke.
the way good things happen by chance the way that good things happen to someone by chance, not because of hard work, careful planning etc: · You'll need plenty of luck if you're hoping to succeed in the music business.have luck (with something): · Did you have any luck with the job application?· You're not having much luck today, are you?luck is on your side (=you are lucky): · If luck was on our side, the garage would have delivered our car by now.for (good) luck (=as a way of bringing good luck): · "Please let it be him,'' said Sara, keeping her fingers crossed for luck.with (any) luck (=if you are lucky): · With any luck we should reach the coast before it gets dark.by luck (=as a result of luck): · I found the place purely by luck.somebody's luck holds (=they continue to be lucky): · If his luck held, no one would notice he had escaped for at least two hours.sheer luck (=only luck, and nothing else): · I got the right answer, but it was sheer luck.a run of good luck (=a period of time when you continually have good luck): · The company knew that their run of good luck would not last forever.
telling someone you hope they will be lucky and successful spoken say this to tell someone that you hope they will be lucky and successful: · Good luck Archie! Enjoy your new job.good luck/best of luck with/in: · Best of luck with your driving test.
to tell someone that you hope they will be lucky or successful, when they are about to do something difficult: · Wish me luck - I'll need it for this French exam.wish sb luck in/with: · Brian asked me to wish you luck in your interview.
when something brings you good luck something that is lucky seems to help you to have good luck or be successful: · My lucky number is seven.lucky charm (=a small object, piece of jewellery etc that someone carries with them to bring them good luck): · She wears his wedding ring on a chain around her neck, as a lucky charm.
things you say when hoping for good luck British /knock on wood American spoken say this when you have been lucky up to now and you hope that you will not have any bad luck in the future: · I've never been in trouble with the police, touch wood.· We haven't missed a deadline yet, knock on wood.
spoken say this when you are hoping for good luck for yourself or for other people: · We're hoping Bill will be well enough to play in the next game - we're keeping our fingers crossed, anyway.keep your fingers crossed for: · She's having her operation tomorrow, so keep your fingers crossed for her.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs You should count yourself lucky that you weren’t hurt. Five lucky winners will each receive a signed copy of the album.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· I feel so incredibly lucky to have had that experience.
informal (=be lucky)· They’re not a great team - they just got lucky.
(=believe that you are lucky in a particular situation)· You should count yourself lucky you weren’t seriously hurt.
informal (=be lucky)· I applied for twenty jobs before I struck lucky.
adverbs (=very lucky)· Police say it was extremely lucky that no one was killed.
informal (=very lucky)· I was dead lucky to find a parking space right away.
informal (=lucky, but not extremely lucky)· We were pretty lucky with the weather on this holiday.
lucky + NOUN· The lucky winner of the competition will be announced next week.
· Your son’s a lucky man, having a father like you.
(=lucky people, especially when compared to others who suffered)· They considered themselves the lucky ones because they escaped with only minor injuries.
phrases (=have the good luck to do something)· I was lucky enough to be selected for the school team.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=always be lucky, unlucky etc)
· It was just a happy coincidence that he was there too.
(=believe you are lucky etc) Consider yourself lucky you weren’t in the car at the time.
Consider yourself lucky you weren’t in the car at the time. You should count yourself lucky that you weren’t hurt.· We had a lucky escape when a tree crashed through the ceiling.
· ‘How did you know?’ ‘It was just a lucky guess.’
(=a number you think gives you good luck)· Three is my lucky number.
Five lucky winners will each receive a signed copy of the album.· I couldn't believe how lucky I was.· Ranger Dave Hutson likes to remind visitors how lucky they are compared to James White, who first mapped the cave.· I am sure he had no idea how lucky he was.· What courage Mrs Saulitis had! How lucky Parslina was to have a protector like her!· Wilson quickly realised how lucky she had been to have the Misses Wynne directed to her by kind Miss Blagden.· The headlines reminded me how lucky I was.· Had the worm understood how lucky he had been to share his bed with two such strong women?· It makes her realize, she says, just how lucky she is that her son survived.
· Listen, we were really lucky getting home at all.· We feel really, really lucky.· You're lucky, really lucky, believe me.· I was really lucky, I got in on the second lottery round.· They had a really lucky escape.· If he was really lucky, she would leave him sixpence to buy ice-cream from the lady with the tray.
· The other girl was not so lucky, her attempted escape accelerated the plans for her marriage.· They should all be so lucky.· I ought to have known I couldn't be so lucky.· There were days when he wondered how he had been so lucky.· People in other parts of the world have not been so lucky.· But three of her friends were not so lucky.· We were so lucky to be chosen to join your pilgrimage.· Sunbathers in Malibu should be so lucky.
· We're really very lucky in our equipment.· A very lucky person picked it up cheap.· These are exciting times and you and your readers are very lucky.· Unless we are very lucky, we will end up with clogged arteries.· We have been very lucky to have two major benefactions.· I was very lucky to study music theory so early and so thoroughly, and I played a lot of chamber music.· A very lucky man, that's who.· Anybody who plays against them is very lucky, and you must learn something from a game like that.
NOUN· He wouldn't be getting much sleep over the next few days unless they got a very lucky break.· Key events included radical job changes and serious problems, as well as lucky breaks.· Ace thought that was another suspiciously lucky break, but she had no complaints.· Outside Nordhausen he had a lucky break.· It might be a lucky break.
· But, as Daouda Api explains, the lucky charm of literacy often fails to work its magic.
· Anyway, that day was obviously a lucky day.· I figured today might have been his lucky day.· The weather was fine on the day, a lucky day as it had been raining all week.· Friday used to be considered a lucky day for weddings in Gerrnany.· But it was Swindon's lucky day.· It was not her lucky day.· It's your lucky day today.· Well, it was certainly Mickey's lucky day.
· The pundits dip haphazardly into the lucky dip.· A good lucky dip, to please the sixes and upwards.
· Rangers, having just survived a lucky escape, launched their first attack.· My passenger had had a lucky escape that night; he had used his wits well and survived another fight.· She could never get over her lucky escapes.· One girl had a lucky escape when a fence post narrowly missed her head.· They had a really lucky escape.· He should not allow himself to wallow in it, however: hindsight may well suggest he has had a lucky escape.· A neighbour had a lucky escape, for she had left the couple's house just minutes before.· You had a lucky escape, my Nigel.
· It had been a lucky guess, that was all.· Maybe they made a lucky guess.· That had just been a lucky guess.· The reporters could not tell whether this was because Kalmbach was a lucky guess or a ridiculous one.· And a rather malicious lucky guess to boot.· It is a very addictive game of logic, deduction, and lots of lucky guesses when you first play.
· A very lucky man, that's who.· He told himself that he was a lucky man, the luckiest man he knew.· He was a lucky man, in many respects.· Marilyn's a lovely girl and you're a lucky man.· Not a lucky man with wives, John Carter.· I have been a lucky man.· Nigel, you're a very lucky man.
· Lastly, of course, you may be one of the lucky ones for whom work after retirement really pays.· But Benny could be considered one of the lucky ones.· And they are the lucky ones.· But he was among the lucky ones.· Find out below if you are one of the lucky ones.· There was a scramble for chairs in the back rows, but I was not one of the lucky ones.· In the end we released two of these three lucky ones back to the same barn they were born in.· I was one of the lucky ones who was taught this early in my career.
· One lucky reader and a friend will stay in a 3 star hotel in the heart of New York.· HarperCollins has linked up with Glemby Hair Salons to offer five lucky readers a free top-to-toe treatment.· Ten lucky readers will be the proud owners of the latest Karrimor performance jackets.· Among the chaos and competition, however, one lucky reader caught our eye.· Together with a partner, one lucky reader will jet off for a luxury £600 Paris weekend.· No fewer than twenty lucky readers have won our third prize of a Recta D0310 compass and a 905 Liquipak.
· I have sent thank-you cards to all my lucky stars by first-class post.· The Bruins this morning are thanking their lucky stars for goaltender Bill Ranford.· He was probably even now thanking his lucky stars for a narrow escape.
· But don't worry if you're not one of the lucky winners.· Anyone can enter paintings in any style, and the lucky winners get hung, in rather close proximity, and sold.· The Glengormley girl was the lucky winner of an Apple Mac computer in the centre's back to school competition.· The first lucky winner is David Pitchforth for his Hudson Hawk maps.· A well stocked tombola provided many potential Christmas presents for the lucky winners.· The lucky winner will be announced in our Christmas magazine.· Look out for this years' Lillywhites evening in November, and see if you can be a lucky winner.· You could be the lucky winner of a free course of pectoral pump treatments, or a brand new Cadillac convertible.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► you’ll/you’d be lucky!PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► somebody always was lucky/untidy etc► be born under a lucky/unlucky star
- Sleep past 6 a.m.? I should be so lucky!
- Here in the Adirondacks, if you were lucky you might have found an orange in your Christmas stocking.
- How lucky you were, I think.
- If you lucky you can do alright.
- If you are lucky you might get a codex thrown in for a good measure for telecomms application.
- It was lucky you were together when you found the bodies.
- You don't know how lucky you are in that respect.
- "Look at the size of the fish I caught!" "It must be your lucky day!"
- Anyway, that day was obviously a lucky day.
- But it was Swindon's lucky day.
- Friday used to be considered a lucky day for weddings in Gerrnany.
- It was not her lucky day.
- Read the stars in the magazines and the paper: Today is your lucky day.
- I've been stood out there ages! - Anyway, why aren't you dressed yet, you lazy beggar?
- And the poor devil can't hide a thing from her.
- Eliot has it perhaps worse than I have - poor devil.
- He loathed the sterile ritual of inspections, and this poor devil in his untimely end had saved him from that.
- He was a handsome devil, clever and presumably extremely well off.
- I know bow the poor devil feels.
- I was driving past and tried to stop this poor devil getting beaten up.
- This isn't a propitious start for him, poor devil.
- What on earth was eating the poor devil?
- Alan was lucky enough to discover a scorpion in the fruit bowl.
- And handsome David Wood, who now runs his own hairdressing salon in Melbourne, was lucky enough to date her.
- And I was lucky enough to sit in the catbird seat and watch and learn and be changed myself.
- And when I was lucky enough to enjoy some rare hot weather my feet stayed as cool as I could have expected.
- I thought I had been lucky enough to pick up a shore current that was helping me along toward the rip.
- If you are lucky enough to see one, observe it from a distance.
- Regardless of their preferences, not every couple is lucky enough to find two equal jobs in the same community.
- Some authors are lucky enough to think naturally in terms of story.
- But whereas Errol struck it lucky, spare a thought for Instonian Neil Cooke.
- Thank your lucky stars the boy wasn't seriously hurt.
- He was probably even now thanking his lucky stars for a narrow escape.
- The Bruins this morning are thanking their lucky stars for goaltender Bill Ranford.
- Barcelona, having lost the 1961 and 1986 finals, hope it will be third time lucky.
- Everyone is praying that this time it will be third time lucky.
- Maybe he's out there thinking: third time lucky.
- Odds-on favourite last time at Haydock, he was narrowly beaten into third place, but tomorrow should prove third time lucky.
WORD FAMILYadjectivelucky ≠ unluckylucklessnounluckadverbluckily ≠ unluckily
1having good luck SYN fortunate OPP unluckybe lucky to do/be something The children were lucky to survive the fire which destroyed their home.lucky enough to do something those of us lucky enough to own our own homeslucky if I’ll be lucky if I get any of my money back.lucky (that) I was tremendously lucky that I didn’t die in the accident.lucky with We’ve been very lucky with the weather.count/consider/think yourself lucky Count yourself lucky you’ve got a husband like Jack.get lucky (=be lucky on a particular occasion) You might get lucky and find a bargain.2resulting from good luck: I didn’t really know your name – it was just a lucky guess. A middle-aged woman had a lucky escape when a tree crashed down onto her car.it is lucky (that) It’s lucky that no-one was hurt.3bringing good luck: a lucky charm4lucky you/me etc spoken used to say that someone is fortunate to be able to do something: ‘My husband’s a rich man, and devoted to me.’ ‘Lucky you.’5be somebody’s lucky day spoken used to say that something good and often unexpected will happen to someone: We’re going to win. I just know it’s our lucky day6you’ll/you’d be lucky! spoken used to tell someone that what they want probably will not happen: ‘Fifty pounds should be enough.’ ‘You’ll be lucky!’7I/you should be so lucky! spoken used to tell someone that what they want is not likely to happen, especially because it is unreasonable: You want three weeks holiday? You should be so lucky! → strike it lucky at strike1(20), → thank your lucky stars at thank(3), → third time lucky at third1(2)COLLOCATIONSverbsfeel lucky· I feel so incredibly lucky to have had that experience.get lucky informal (=be lucky)· They’re not a great team - they just got lucky.count/consider/think yourself lucky (=believe that you are lucky in a particular situation)· You should count yourself lucky you weren’t seriously hurt.strike (it) lucky informal (=be lucky)· I applied for twenty jobs before I struck lucky.adverbsextremely/exceedingly/incredibly lucky (=very lucky)· Police say it was extremely lucky that no one was killed.dead lucky informal (=very lucky)· I was dead lucky to find a parking space right away.pretty lucky informal (=lucky, but not extremely lucky)· We were pretty lucky with the weather on this holiday.lucky + NOUNa lucky winner· The lucky winner of the competition will be announced next week.a lucky man/woman/boy/girl· Your son’s a lucky man, having a father like you.the lucky ones (=lucky people, especially when compared to others who suffered)· They considered themselves the lucky ones because they escaped with only minor injuries.phrasesbe lucky enough to do something (=have the good luck to do something)· I was lucky enough to be selected for the school team.THESAURUSlucky happening because of good luck, or bringing you good luck: · a lucky guess· Seven is considered a lucky number.· It’s lucky that I’ve got some spare keys.· Italy got a lucky goal in the last five minutes of the game.· ‘How did you know he’d be there?’ ‘It was a lucky guess.’fortunate happening because of good luck. Fortunate is more formal than lucky: · It was extremely fortunate that there was no one in the building when the bomb went off.· I’m in the fortunate position of doing a job I love.· Some plants actually prefer a lot of shade, which is fortunate for gardeners choosing plants for gloomy corners.it’s a good thing (that) (also it’s a good job (that) British English) spoken used when saying that there would have been problems if something had not happened: · It’s a good thing that you brought an umbrella with you.· It’s a good job I’m here to help.miraculous extremely lucky in a way that is almost unbelievable: · A teenager had a miraculous escape last night when the car she was travelling in overturned.· The doctor gave her a month to live but she made a miraculous recovery.· It was miraculous that no one was seriously injured in the accident.fortuitous /fɔːˈtjuːɪtəs/ formal happening because of good luck: · a fortuitous decision· a fortuitous coincidence· It was fortuitous that no one else was hurt.a fluke /fluːk/ informal something that happens by chance, not because of skill or good judgment: · The goal was a fluke.· By a fluke, he managed to get the question right.be in the right place at the right time used when saying that someone is lucky and the situation is right for them: · Making money from buying property is easy – you just have to be in the right place at the right time.