Serendipity
/ˌserənˈdɪpɪti/noun
The occurrence of fortunate discoveries by accident.
Did you know?The word was coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole after the Persian fairy tale *The Three Princes of Serendip*, where the princes keep making brilliant discoveries by accident and insight.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient/Medieval Persian Tale
Persian
Serendip
“An old name for Sri Lanka, used in a tale about princes who solve problems through accidental discoveries.”
1754
English
serendipity
“Horace Walpole’s coined word for making fortunate discoveries by accident and sagacity.”
18th Century
English
serendipity
“Rare literary coinage, first used in correspondence and then slowly entered wider English.”
Modern English
English
serendipity
“A lucky accident or unexpected beneficial discovery.”
Explore more surprising origins