English vocabulary · B2
Serendipity
/ˌsɛr.ənˈdɪp.ɪ.ti/ · n.
It means finding something good by chance, when you were not looking for it.
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Example sentences
- They met on a train — pure serendipity.
- Her best job came to her by serendipity, not a plan.
Word origin and roots
- Serendip — old name for Sri Lanka
Synonyms and nuances
- LUCK (chance brings something good)
- CHANCE (an unexpected opportunity appears)
- FORTUNE (fate delivers something beneficial)
Similar words
- luck
- chance
- fortune
Lesson notes
Serendipity. It means finding something good by chance, when you were not looking for it.
Similar words are luck, chance, and fortune. Use serendipity when something good happens by a happy accident.
They met on a train — pure serendipity. Her best job came to her by serendipity, not a plan.
Serendip is an old name for Sri Lanka. Three princes from Serendip always found good things by accident. That happy accident is serendipity.