Basic Details
Word: Serendipity
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The occurrence of happy and beneficial events by chance.
Synonyms: Fortune, luck, coincidence
Antonyms: Misfortune, bad luck, disaster
Idioms and Phrases
- Serendipitous discovery: Refers to an unexpected and fortunate find. Example: "The archaeologist had a serendipitous discovery when she stumbled upon ancient pottery while digging."
- A serendipity moment: A point in time when unexpected joy or discovery occurs. Example: "Finding that much-needed book at the library was a real serendipity moment."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Winning the contest was pure serendipity; I hadn't even intended to enter!
Example 2: Their meeting was a serendipitous moment that changed both their lives for the better.
Example 3: Sometimes serendipity leads to the best adventures, like when we found that lovely café by chance.
Fun Fact
The word "serendipity" was coined by writer Horace Walpole in 1754. He based it on a Persian fairy tale, "The Three Princes of Serendip," where the princes made unexpected discoveries through their journeys.
Famous Quote
"Serendipity is the art of finding what you weren't looking for." - David A. Foss
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "serendipity" mean?
a) A sad event
b) A happy accident
c) A planned activity
d) A type of food
Answer: b) A happy accident
2. Which of these is a synonym of "serendipity"?
a) Misfortune
b) Luck
c) Disaster
d) Difficulty
Answer: b) Luck
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "serendipity"?
a) Coincidence
b) Fortune
c) Bad luck
d) Happy chance
Answer: c) Bad luck
4. Which sentence uses "serendipity" correctly?
a) The serendipity of the concert made it boring.
b) He found a forgotten treasure in his attic; it was pure serendipity.
c) Serendipity is planning ahead.
d) She dislikes serendipity because it always happens at night.
Answer: b) He found a forgotten treasure in his attic; it was pure serendipity.
5. What phrase describes an unexpected lucky event related to "serendipity"?
a) A rainy day
b) Holiday fun
c) A serendipity moment
d) A morning exercise
Answer: c) A serendipity moment
