serendipity
/ˌser.ənˈdɪp.ə.ti/Definitions
Synonyms
Etymology
Usage
Meanings
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The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way."A fortunate stroke of serendipity brought them together years after they had last met."
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An instance of this; a happy accident."Finding that rare book at the garage sale was pure serendipity."
Related Words
Origin
Early 18th century (in the sense 'a faculty of making happy and surprising discoveries by accident'): from serendip (an archaic name for Ceylon, now Sri Lanka) + -ity. Coined by Horace Walpole in 1754, based on the Persian fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip", whose heroes were always making discoveries by accidents and sagacity.