fortune

Universal Words noun 1 [U] chance or luck, especially in the way it affects people's lives: I have had the good fortune to work with some brilliant directors. * By a stroke of fortune he found work almost immediately. * Fortune smiled on me (= I had good luck). 2 [C] a large amount of money: He made a fortune in real estate. * She inherited a share of the family fortune. * A car like that costs a small fortune. * You don't have to spend a fortune to give your family tasty, healthy meals. * She is hoping her US debut will be the first step on the road to fame and fortune. * That ring must be worth a fortune. 3 [C,usually pl.,U] the good and bad things that happen to a person, family, country, etc: the changing fortunes of the film industry * the fortunes of war * a reversal of fortune(s) 4 [C] a person's fate or future: She can tell your fortune by looking at the lines on your hand. IDIOMS see HOSTAGE, SEEK seealsoSOLDIEROFFORTUNE