Words / C2

f-uh-LIS-it-uh-s/fəˈlɪsɪtəs/

Felicitous means well chosen, happily suited (especially wording): a felicitous phrase, a felicitous example. Apt and well chosen are everyday; fortunate is luck, not fit. Felicity is happiness or aptness of expression. Infelicitous is clumsy wording. Do not call a lucky lottery win felicitous unless you are being literary about timing.

Meaning

Well chosen; happily suited to the occasion (especially of wording).

Examples

• ““Held over” was a felicitous phrase for the delayed opening.”
• ““Held over” was a felicitous label for a delay that still hoped to open.”
• “An infelicitous metaphor mixed medicine with football and helped nobody.”

Good to know

Apt; well chosen (formal, often of words). Everyday: apt. Luck: fortunate. Opposite: infelicitous. Noun: felicity.

Near in meaning

apt

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