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# fortune

noun (a fortune, fortunes; fortune — uncountable)

«fortune» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A very large amount of money: «That car cost a fortune». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#m1)
2. Luck, good or bad, especially luck that affects your life: «good fortune». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#m2)
3. What will happen to a person in the future: «tell someone's fortune». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories heroes «seek their fortune» (go out into the world to become rich and happy). «A fortune teller» says she can see the future — in real life nobody can. Phrases: «cost a fortune», «make a fortune», «good fortune», «by good fortune», «fortune cookie».

### Examples

- The pirates hoped to find a fortune in gold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x1)
- That new phone must have cost a fortune! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x2)
- By good fortune, it stopped raining just before the race. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x3)
- Jack left home to seek his fortune. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x4)
- The fortune teller said I would travel far. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x5)
- My fortune cookie said, "Kindness brings joy." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x6)
- She made a fortune selling her inventions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x7)
- It is most extraordinary good fortune." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/#x8)

### Note

«Fortune» meaning luck is uncountable. «A fortune» means lots of money (often exaggerated: «cost a fortune» = very expensive). Adjective: fortunate (lucky); unfortunate (unlucky). Fortune telling is not science; it cannot really predict the future.

## In Jewish tradition

It is good luck. Leah says it at the birth of Gad, whose name means "luck." It also means a person's condition in life, as when God changed Job's fortune. In Isaiah "Fortune" is the name of a false god of luck.

**Interpretation.** Leah's naming of Gad is read as her joy at having another son. God restoring Job's fortune after he prayed for his friends is read as a reward for his kindness. Isaiah scolds those who set a table for "Fortune," as trusting luck instead of God.

### Examples

- And Leah said: 'Fortune is come!' And she called his name Gad. (Torah GEN.30.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortune/#x1)
- And the LORD changed the fortune of Job, when he prayed for his friends; and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Writings JOB.42.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortune/#x2)
- But ye that forsake the LORD, that forget My holy mountain, that prepare a table for Fortune, and that offer mingled wine in full measure unto Destiny, (Prophets ISA.65.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortune/#x3)

### Note

«Fortune» meaning luck is uncountable. «A fortune» means lots of money (often exaggerated: «cost a fortune» = very expensive). Adjective: fortunate (lucky); unfortunate (unlucky). Fortune telling is not science; it cannot really predict the future.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «fortune» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortune/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fortune» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fortune.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «fortune» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortune/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fortune» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/fortune.html) on Mova free.