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fortune

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noun British English pronunciation: fortune /ˈfɔː(r)tʃən/ 
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singularfortune
pluralfortunes
  1. 1
    [countable] [usually singular] a very large amount of money

    Jordan had inherited a considerable personal fortune from his uncle.

    make/amass a fortune:

    He had made a fortune from mining.

    make your fortune (=become very rich):

    Henry Ford made his fortune with the Model T.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fortuneThesaurus entry for this meaning of fortune
    1. a.
      [singular] informal a lot of money
      cost a fortune:

      Flats in this area cost a fortune.

      spend/pay a fortune:

      They must have spent a fortune on flowers alone.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fortuneThesaurus entry for this meaning of fortune
    2. b.
      [uncountable] money and success

      the first step towards fame and fortune

      young people who come to the city to seek their fortune

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fortuneThesaurus entry for this meaning of fortune
  2. 2

    fortunes

     [plural] the things that happen to someone or something and the changing degree to which they are successful

    a career that illustrates the changing fortunes of the Labour Party

    The new board will work to restore the company’s fortunes.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fortuneThesaurus entry for this meaning of fortune
  3. 3
    [uncountable] luck, especially good luck

    It was his good fortune to take over the company at exactly the right time.

    have the good fortune to do something:

    I had the good fortune to know the manager of the company.

    a change of fortune:

    His friends were delighted with his change of fortune.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fortuneThesaurus entry for this meaning of fortune
See also

This is the British English definition of fortune. View American English definition of fortune.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

 

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