What does felicitously mean?
Felicitously is a formal adverb meaning in an aptly expressed, well-chosen, or happily opportune manner. It has two closely related senses: it can describe language that strikes exactly the right note, as when a critic praises a felicitously phrased metaphor, and it can describe events that unfold by welcome chance, as when a meeting falls felicitously on the eve of an announcement. The word derives from the Latin felicitas, meaning happiness or good fortune, which also gives English the noun felicity; its adjective form, felicitous, covers both the apt and the fortunate. Felicitously appears most often in literary criticism, formal writing, and elegant journalism rather than everyday speech, and its connotation is invariably positive. It rewards writers who want to suggest that something was not merely correct but gracefully, almost luckily right.
adverbIn a manner that is well chosen, apt, or well suited to the circumstances; by good fortune or happy chance.
- In a well-chosen or apt manner; (of a word, phrase, or expression) used fittingly.
- By fortunate coincidence; luckily.
"The keynote speaker felicitously captured the mood of the conference in a single phrase."
"She put it felicitously when she called the city 'a conversation that never ends.'"
"The rain stopped just as the ceremony began — the day had started felicitously."
Beneath this polished adverb lies Latin felicitas — 'happiness' — the same root that gives us 'felicity': every time something lands felicitously, a little ancient luck is at work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of felicitously
Felicitously traces back through English 'felicitous' to the Latin felicitas, meaning happiness or good luck, itself built on felix, 'fortunate' or 'fruitful'. The adjective felicitous entered English in the early seventeenth century, and the adverb followed soon after. Cognates and relatives include felicity and the verb felicitate, meaning to congratulate, all preserving the Latin root's blend of happiness and favorable circumstance.
Related word forms
How felicitously is actually used
A formal, somewhat literary word common in criticism and reviews. It carries a positive connotation of tactful aptness or lucky timing, often applied to turns of phrase rather than people.
Easily confused with felicitously
Famously means in a well-known or celebrated way, whereas felicitously means aptly or luckily; the words share only a passing sound resemblance.
Ferociously means fiercely or violently, an entirely different meaning from the aptness and good fortune conveyed by felicitously.