Words / B1

FORCH-oon/ˈfɔːtʃuːn/

Fortune is great wealth, or chance: make a fortune; a fortune; good / bad fortune. Luck is the everyday twin for chance. Fate is darker and more inevitable. Do not write “fortunes” when you mean one person’s luck unless you mean ups and downs (the fortunes of the club). Cost a fortune is an idiom.

Meaning

A large amount of money; also chance or luck (good / bad fortune).

Examples

• “The company spent a fortune on a logo that staff disliked.”
• “The fortunes of the high street changed after free parking ended.”

Good to know

a fortune (money); good / bad fortune (luck). Idiom: cost a fortune. Everyday luck: luck. Related: fate. Club/team: fortunes.

Near in meaning

luck

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