Fortuitous meeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Fortuitous meeting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an unexpected and fortunate encounter. For example, "Their fortuitous meeting led to a successful collaboration." Alternative expressions include "chance encounter" and "serendipitous meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Thanks to a fortuitous meeting with a Brazilian agent, he achieved his ambition.

Independent

It was a fortuitous meeting; the couple needed an interior designer and decorator.

The New York Times

The fortuitous meeting, the muted but powerful signals, the nearly silent flight in which she herself figured more or less as a captive.

The New Yorker

An educational software company and a Boston-based nonprofit have developed a partnership thanks to a fortuitous meeting during an MIT Executive MBA program course.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The project needed to have national reach and a fortuitous meeting with Tom Trevor, director of Arnolfini, Bristol, led to the gallery coming on as a partner.

The Guardian

But because of a fortuitous meeting at midcentury, and a lifetime love of language, he was conscripted by the Chinese government to develop an accessible alphabetic writing system.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It can take a lot of work to fake such fortuitous meetings.

The Guardian - Arts

The New York of 20 years later may be a far more snug and secure environment, but it has also eliminated a good deal of the opportunity for fortuitous meetings and creative ferment that "Downtown 81" effectively depicts and desultorily celebrates.

The New York Times

"It's a fortuitous confluence".

The New York Times - Travel

Many people find their way into an E.I.R. role through a fortuitous lunch or a meeting in the hallway of another company.

The New York Times - Tech

The timing of their meeting was fortuitous.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fortuitous meeting" to describe an encounter that not only happens by chance but also leads to a positive or beneficial outcome. Ensure the context supports the implication of good fortune resulting from the meeting.

Common error

Avoid using "fortuitous meeting" simply to mean an accidental or unplanned meeting. The term carries a connotation of unexpected benefit or good luck. If the meeting doesn't lead to a positive result, a more neutral term like "chance meeting" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fortuitous meeting" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'fortuitous' modifies 'meeting'. It indicates that the meeting was not only accidental but also resulted in a positive or beneficial outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in English to describe these encounters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fortuitous meeting" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a chance encounter that results in a positive or beneficial outcome. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, academic, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "lucky encounter" or "serendipitous encounter" exist, "fortuitous meeting" effectively conveys both the accidental nature and the fortunate consequences of the encounter. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the unexpected benefit arising from a chance meeting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lucky encounter

This alternative emphasizes the element of luck in the meeting.

serendipitous encounter

This alternative highlights the accidental and fortunate nature of the meeting.

chance meeting

This is a more general term for an unplanned encounter.

happy coincidence

This alternative emphasizes the positive and unplanned nature of the event.

opportune moment

This highlights the advantageous timing rather than the meeting itself.

providential meeting

This alternative suggests that the meeting was divinely guided or destined.

fortunate convergence

Focuses on the merging of paths or circumstances in a beneficial way.

beneficial encounter

This emphasizes the positive outcome of the encounter.

advantageous encounter

Highlights the benefit or advantage gained from the meeting.

welcome encounter

This emphasizes the positive and desired nature of the meeting.

FAQs

What does "fortuitous meeting" mean?

A "fortuitous meeting" is a chance encounter that leads to a positive or beneficial outcome. It implies that the meeting was not only accidental but also resulted in some kind of good fortune.

What can I say instead of "fortuitous meeting"?

You can use alternatives like "lucky encounter", "serendipitous encounter", or "chance meeting" depending on the context. Each alternative emphasizes slightly different aspects of the encounter.

How do I use "fortuitous meeting" in a sentence?

Use "fortuitous meeting" to describe a situation where an unplanned encounter leads to a positive outcome. For example, "Their fortuitous meeting at the conference led to a valuable business partnership."

Is a "fortuitous meeting" the same as a planned meeting?

No, a "fortuitous meeting" is by definition unplanned and unexpected. If a meeting is planned, it cannot be described as fortuitous, as the element of chance is absent.