Serendipitous
/ˌsɛr.ənˈdɪp.ɪ.təs/noun
Occurring or discovered by chance in a fortunate way.
Did you know?The word was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754 from the fairy-tale title *The Three Princes of Serendip*, where the princes kept making brilliant discoveries by accident.
Etymological Timeline
1754
English
serendipity
“A fortunate discovery made by accident or sagacity while looking for something else.”
16th Century
Italian
Serendippo
“The old Italian name for Sri Lanka, used in the fairy-tale title Walpole borrowed from.”
Middle Persian
Persian
Sarandīb
“A name for Sri Lanka, especially in literary and geographical tradition.”
Modern English
English
serendipitous
“Characterized by or resulting from serendipity; lucky by chance.”
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