serendipitous
/ˌsɛ.ɹənˈdɪp.ɪ.təs/
Group 31Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way GRE
Example in Context
The serendipitous meeting at the conference led to a research collaboration that produced several major breakthroughs over the following decade.
Synonyms
luckyfortunatechance
Etymology
The term originated from a Persian fairy tale about three princes who found unexpected treasures.
- serendipity (Persian) — the occurrence of events by chance in a happy way
Memory Aid
🍀Sounds like “serendipity”
When I tripped over a log, I found a FOUR-LEAF CLOVER — that was SERENDIPITOUS!
Visual Association
🌈A person stumbling upon a hidden rainbow after a rainstorm, bringing joy and wonder.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “serendipitous” mean on the GRE?
serendipitous (adjective) means “Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way”. The serendipitous meeting at the conference led to a research collaboration that produced several major breakthroughs over the following decade.
How to remember “serendipitous” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “serendipitous” sounds like “serendipity”. When I tripped over a log, I found a FOUR-LEAF CLOVER — that was SERENDIPITOUS!
What are synonyms for “serendipitous”?
Common synonyms: lucky, fortunate, chance.