a fortune
/ə ˈfɔːtʃuːn/phrase★Intermediate
informal
A large amount of money, often unexpectedly acquired.
He inherited a fortune from his grandfather.
He received a large sum of money as an inheritance.
The startup raised a fortune in venture capital.
The startup secured a significant amount of investment funding.
💡
Often used to describe wealth acquired through luck, inheritance, or business success.
Collocations
make a fortuneto earn a large amount of moneyspend a fortuneto spend a very large sum of money
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
strike it richidiom
to suddenly become wealthy
get rich quickphrase
to become wealthy very quickly
💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'a fortune' to emphasize the size of the money, whether earned, inherited, or spent.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
Use sparingly to maintain impact, as it can sound exaggerated if overused.
📖Word Origin
From Old French 'fortune,' meaning luck or chance, derived from Latin 'fortuna,' meaning fate or luck.
📝Usage Notes
The phrase is often used to emphasize the size of the amount, whether positive (inheritance, lottery) or negative (spending excessively).
Word Breakdown
a
an indefinite article
articlefortune
a large amount of money or wealth
nounEnglish Dictionary