fortuito

fortuitous

adjective for-TWEE-toh Rare

Origin: Latin fortuitus (by chance).

Also means

accidental

Usage Note

Fortuito describes something that happens by chance rather than by design — not necessarily lucky, just unplanned (encuentro fortuito = 'chance encounter'). It is a false cognate for English 'fortuitous', which has gained a 'fortunate' sense in English; the Spanish word carries no positive connotation.

Examples

"El hallazgo fue completamente fortuito."

Natural Translation

The discovery was completely fortuitous.

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