serendipity

/ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/(american) · /ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/(british)

ser-en-dip-i-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

  2. 2.

    The faculty or phenomenon of making fortunate discoveries by accident.

Forms

plural: serendipities

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    by serendipity — Through fortunate accident or chance.
  • •
    moment of serendipity — An instance of lucky discovery.

Related words

Antonyms: bad luck, misfortune
See also: chance, coincidence, destiny, fortune, luck
Synonyms: chance, fortuity, happy accident, luck

Etymology

Coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole from the Persian fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip (Serendip being an old name for Sri Lanka). The princes in the tale "were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of." Walpole created the word to describe this combination of accident and wisdom in making unexpected discoveries.