Vocabulary
Serendipity meaning: a lucky discovery by chance
You go into a bookshop to escape the rain and find the exact guide you needed. That happy, unplanned discovery is serendipity.
Use serendipity for a useful or pleasant discovery that happens by chance.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
serendipity /ˌser.ənˈdɪp.ə.ti/
The short answer
Serendipity means a happy or useful discovery that happens by chance.
By serendipity, Maya found a quiet cafe beside the station.
Why it works: Maya did not plan to find the cafe, but the discovery was welcome.
3 more examples
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Finding the missing file in an old email was pure serendipity.
The file appeared unexpectedly and solved a problem.
Not this:Finding the missing file in an old email was
careful research. What changes: Careful research describes a planned search. Serendipity describes an unplanned but useful discovery. -
Their meeting was serendipity because both had arrived early by chance.
The unexpected meeting had a welcome result.
Not this:Their meeting
was scheduledbecause both had arranged it in advance. What changes: Scheduled means planned. Serendipity needs an element of chance. -
The museum visit led to a serendipitous conversation with an artist.
Serendipitous is the adjective form. The conversation was a welcome surprise.
Not this:The museum visit led to
a random conversationwith an artist. What changes: Random says only that there was no plan. Serendipitous also suggests that the result was valuable or pleasant.
Read the full guide
Use serendipity when an unexpected event leads to something worth finding. It is usually a little more formal and reflective than simply saying lucky.
Start with a discovery by chance
Serendipity is more than good luck. It is the moment when chance brings you to something useful, interesting, or pleasant that you were not trying to find.
We found the perfect meeting room by serendipity while looking for a place to eat.
Use it for a welcome result
The result should feel worthwhile. You might find a helpful book, meet a useful contact, or discover a place you enjoy. The word tells your listener that chance led to something good.
It was serendipity that the new neighbor knew how to repair the old radio.
Keep chance and planning separate
Do not use serendipity for a result you arranged through a plan. If you searched several databases and found the answer, call it research. If you noticed the answer in an unrelated message, serendipity may fit.
A planned search can lead to a useful result. Serendipity names a useful result that appears unexpectedly.
Use the noun and adjective forms
Use the noun in phrases such as by serendipity or a moment of serendipity. Use serendipitous before a noun when you want to describe the event, meeting, or discovery itself.
A serendipitous stop at the library gave us the answer.
Choose the word in context
While waiting for a bus, you overhear a free workshop that solves a problem you have. Is serendipity a good word for this discovery?
Yes. You found useful information by chance, and the discovery had a welcome result.
Before you go
Remember this
Use serendipity for an unplanned discovery with a good result. You can say by serendipity, it was serendipity, or a moment of serendipity. Use serendipitous as the adjective.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Serendipity meaning: a lucky discovery by chance"
What does serendipity mean?
Serendipity means finding something useful, pleasant, or interesting by chance.
Finding the missing file in an old email was pure serendipity.
Is serendipity the same as luck?
Serendipity includes luck, but it focuses on a welcome discovery. Luck can describe any good outcome, even when nothing is discovered.
Finding the missing file in an old email was careful research.
Can I say by serendipity?
Yes. By serendipity means by a happy chance. For example, By serendipity, I found the contact I needed.
Their meeting was serendipity because both had arrived early by chance.
What is the adjective form of serendipity?
The adjective is serendipitous. A serendipitous meeting is an unexpected meeting with a welcome result.
Their meeting was scheduled because both had arranged it in advance.
How do you pronounce serendipity?
Say ser-en-DIP-i-tee. The strongest stress is on DIP. Use the lesson examples to choose the meaning and sentence pattern that fit your context.
The museum visit led to a serendipitous conversation with an artist.
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