serendipity

American  

[ser-uhn-dip-i-tee] / ˌsɛr ənˈdɪp ɪ ti /

noun

plural

serendipities

1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

2. accidental discovery, or an instance of this.

   Alton’s premiere novel was a serendipity that affected my thinking in the most positive way.

3. good fortune; luck.

   What serendipity—she got the first job she applied for!

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serendipity British  

/ ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪtɪ /

noun

1. the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident

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Other Word Forms

• serendipiter noun
• serendipitist noun
• serendipitous adjective
• serendipper noun

Etymology

Origin of serendipity

Serendip + -ity; coined in 1754 by English novelist Horace Walpole ( def. ) for an ability possessed by the heroes of a fairy tale called The Three Princes of Serendip, using a former name for Sri Lanka

Example Sentences

Catastrophe and fear of the unknown sell better than optimism and serendipity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hoiberg built the team that broke the tournament curse with careful planning and some serendipity.

From The Wall Street Journal

New ideas spring, as if by serendipity, from individuals.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Gen Z wants to connect authentically. They believe in romance. They’re open to serendipity,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

When you’re just another tourist following a well-trodden itinerary, serendipity is rare, but the Georgian hinterland seems to regularly yield chance happenings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fluke
• happenstance