Etymology

fortune

for·tune
F4O1R1T1U1N1E1

Today it means: Destiny, especially favorable. Full definition →

First used 14th–19th c.Middle English fortune ← Old French fortune ← Latin fortuna
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fortune · noun, verb1

  1. Latin · derived fromfortuna“fate, luck”
  2. Old French · derived fromfortune
  3. Middle English · inherited fromfortune
  4. English todayfortune

From Middle English fortune, from Old French fortune, from Latin fortuna (“fate, luck”). The plural form fortunae meant “possessions”, which also gave fortune the meaning of “riches”.

Fortune · proper noun2

  1. Portuguese · derived fromfortuna“luck, fortune”
  2. English todayFortune

The name of the town in Newfoundland is derived from Portuguese fortuna (“luck, fortune”). The name may refer to a fortuitous event that occurred in the nearby bay.

Words from the same roots

Latinfortuna all →

Fortuna

First known use, by meaning

  • 14th–19th c. To happen, to take place.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.