Cool MateFortune vs The funny thing about destiny
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fortune
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
The funny thing about destiny
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Fortune
| Fortune | The funny thing about destiny | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːtʃuːn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrtʃən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðə ˈfʌni θɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈdɛstɪni//🇺🇸 //ðə ˈfʌni θɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈdɛstəni// |
| Meaning | A lot of money or good luck. | Destiny is what happens to you in the future. |
| Example | She decided to test her fortune by playing the lottery. | The funny thing about destiny is how it can surprise you. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | considerable, enormous, great, accumulate, acquire, amass, hunter, fortune from, fortune in, fortune on, fame and fortune, heir to a fortune, heiress to a fortune, good, bad, ill, piece, stroke, have, bring (somebody), be on somebody’s side, favour/favor somebody, smile on somebody, as good fortune would have it, a change in fortune, a change of fortune, declining, flagging, changing, boost, improve, revive, change, fluctuate, improve, a reversal of fortune, a reversal of fortunes, read, tell, teller, telling | funny story about destiny, strange thing about destiny, unexpected twist of destiny |
| Antonyms | poverty, misfortune | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fortuitous' — relates to chance, not wealth., Placing 'a' before 'fortune' when referencing large amounts, e.g., 'a fortune' not 'fortune'. | Confused with 'fate'; both can mean similar things but are used differently., 'Funny' may be misunderstood as only humor; it can also mean strange or surprising. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts related to wealth or luck. Not typically used in formal business conversations. | Use in casual conversation and storytelling. Avoid in formal writing or speeches. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fortune vs The funny thing about destiny
What's the difference between Fortune and The funny thing about destiny?
Fortune: A lot of money or good luck. The funny thing about destiny: Destiny is what happens to you in the future.
Which is more common: Fortune and The funny thing about destiny?
Fortune is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fortune: She decided to test her fortune by playing the lottery. The funny thing about destiny: The funny thing about destiny is how it can surprise you.
Can I use Fortune and The funny thing about destiny interchangeably?
Not always. Fortune and The funny thing about destiny are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.