Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “fortunately” come from?

Fortunately derives from English fortunate, from Latin fortunatus, from Latin fortuno, from Latin fortuna, from Latin fors, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots līg- and bʰer-.

fortunately (English): In a fortunate manner; It is fortunate that

Definitions

  1. In a fortunate manner; It is fortunate that

Ancestry of “fortunately”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfortunateAuspicious; Happening by good luck or favorable...
2Latinfortūnātus—
3LatinfortunoI make happy, prosper; I bless
4Latinfortūna—
5Latinfōrs—
6Proto-Italicfortis—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰértisthe act of carrying, bearing
8Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰer-to bear, carry
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- →