Wealth vs. Fortune: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 21, 2023
Wealth refers to an abundance of valuable possessions or money, while fortune can refer to chance or luck in acquiring wealth or to wealth itself.
Key Differences
Wealth and fortune are terms often used interchangeably to describe one’s financial status, but they do have different connotations. Wealth typically implies a substantial amount of money, possessions, or other riches. It is often the result of accumulation over time, possibly through earning, inheritance, or investment. On the other hand, fortune often denotes luck or chance in acquiring riches and can also refer to the sum of money or possessions themselves.
Wealth is often associated with the possession of assets and resources, indicative of one's financial strength. It can include cash, properties, investments, and other valuables that can be quantified monetarily. In contrast, fortune, while it can refer to amassed wealth, is more commonly associated with the serendipity or luck involved in acquiring such wealth, giving it a broader, less tangible implication.
The concept of wealth usually implies a level of stability and security, often seen as something more controlled and predictable. It's more likely to be viewed as something that can be managed, planned, and accumulated systematically. Fortune, however, invokes the idea of chance and uncertainty, highlighting the unpredictable nature of gaining riches, and can thus feel more fleeting and less secure.
Wealth is often viewed as a measure of financial prosperity and can be a result of one’s work, discipline, and financial acumen. It tends to denote a more concrete and quantifiable financial status. Fortune, in one of its meanings, represents the happenstance and luck in acquiring wealth and can be seen as a less stable, less predictable accumulation of riches.
In conclusion, while wealth is a more precise term referring to the accumulation of money and valuables, fortune is more versatile, being associated with both the concept of luck in acquiring wealth and the accumulation of wealth itself.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Abundance of valuable possessions or money.
Luck or chance in acquiring wealth or wealth itself.
Implication
Implies stability, security, and quantifiable assets.
Implies unpredictability, chance, and can be fleeting.
Associated With
Accumulation, management, and possession of riches.
Serendipity, happenstance in acquiring riches.
Tangibility
More concrete and quantifiable.
Broader and less tangible.
Connotation
More controlled, predictable, and managed.
Less stable, more associated with luck and uncertainty.
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Wealth and Fortune Definitions
Wealth
The state of being rich and affluent.
The family’s wealth dates back several generations.
Fortune
Luck or chance, especially in acquiring wealth.
She made her fortune by investing wisely.
Wealth
The possession of a large amount of money, property, or other valuable assets.
She accumulated her wealth through shrewd investments.
Fortune
The outcome or result of an uncertain situation.
Only time will reveal the fortune of his risky venture.
Wealth
The overall worth of an individual, including possessions and money.
His wealth is estimated to be in the billions.
Fortune
The success or failure of a person or enterprise over a period.
The company had the good fortune to prosper.
Wealth
A plentiful supply of a particular desirable thing.
The country has a wealth of natural resources.
Fortune
A force or influence that affects human affairs.
Fortune smiled upon him, bringing unexpected success.
Wealth
An abundance of valuable possessions or money.
His wealth was evident in his luxurious lifestyle.
Fortune
The chance happening of fortunate or adverse events; luck
He decided to travel, and his fortune turned for the worse.
Wealth
An abundance of valuable material possessions or resources; riches
Gave his wealth away to charity.
Fortune
Fortunes The turns of luck in the course of one's life.
Wealth
The state of being rich; affluence
A community of great wealth.
Fortune
Success, especially when at least partially resulting from luck
No matter what they tried, it ended in fortune.
Wealth
Goods and resources having value in terms of exchange or use
The agricultural wealth of the region.
Fortune
A person's condition or standing in life determined by material possessions or financial wealth
She pursued her fortune in Rome.
Wealth
A great amount; a profusion
A wealth of advice.
Fortune
Extensive amounts of material possessions or money; wealth.
Wealth
Riches; a great amount of valuable assets or material possessions.
Fortune
A large sum of money
Spent a fortune on the new car.
Wealth
(countable) A great amount; an abundance or plenty.
She brings a wealth of knowledge to the project.
Fortune
Often Fortune A hypothetical, often personified force or power that favorably or unfavorably governs the events of one's life
We believe that Fortune is on our side.
Wealth
Prosperity; well-being; happiness.
Fortune
Fate; destiny
Told my fortune with tarot cards.
Wealth
Weal; welfare; prosperity; good.
Fortune
A foretelling of one's destiny.
Wealth
Large possessions; a comparative abundance of things which are objects of human desire; esp., abundance of worldly estate; affluence; opulence; riches.
I have little wealth to lose.
Each day new wealth, without their care, provides.
Wealth comprises all articles of value and nothing else.
Fortune
(Archaic) To endow with wealth.
Wealth
In the private sense, all pooperty which has a money value.
Fortune
(Obsolete) To ascribe or give good or bad fortune to.
Wealth
The state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money;
Great wealth is not a sign of great intelligence
Fortune
To occur by chance; happen.
Wealth
The quality of profuse abundance;
She has a wealth of talent
Fortune
Destiny, especially favorable.
She read my fortune. Apparently I will have a good love life this week, but I will have a bad week for money.
Wealth
An abundance of material possessions and resources
Fortune
A prediction or set of predictions about a person's future provided by a fortune teller.
Wealth
Property that has economic utility: a monetary value or an exchange value
Fortune
A small slip of paper with wise or vaguely prophetic words printed on it, baked into a fortune cookie.
Fortune
The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance; accident.
Fortune
Good luck.
Fortune favors the brave.
Fortune
One's wealth; the amount of money one has, especially if it is vast.
He's amassed a small fortune working in the Middle East.
My vast fortune was a result of inheritance and stock market nous.
Her fortune is estimated at 3 million dollars.
Fortune
A large amount of money.
That car must be worth a fortune! How could you afford it?
Fortune
(transitive)
Fortune
To provide (someone) with a fortune.
Fortune
To tell the fortune of (someone); to presage.
Fortune
To happen, to take place.
Fortune
The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance; accident; luck; hap; also, the personified or deified power regarded as determining human success, apportioning happiness and unhappiness, and distributing arbitrarily or fortuitously the lots of life.
'T is more by fortune, lady, than by merit.
O Fortune, Fortune, all men call thee fickle.
Fortune
That which befalls or is to befall one; lot in life, or event in any particular undertaking; fate; destiny; as, to tell one's fortune.
You, who men's fortunes in their faces read.
Fortune
That which comes as the result of an undertaking or of a course of action; good or ill success; especially, favorable issue; happy event; success; prosperity as reached partly by chance and partly by effort.
Our equal crimes shall equal fortune give.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.
His father dying, he was driven to seek his fortune.
Fortune
Wealth; large possessions; large estate; riches; as, a gentleman of fortune.
Fortune
To make fortunate; to give either good or bad fortune to.
Fortune
To provide with a fortune.
Fortune
To presage; to tell the fortune of.
Fortune
To fall out; to happen.
It fortuned the same night that a Christian, serving a Turk in the camp, secretely gave the watchmen warning.
Fortune
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another;
Bad luck caused his downfall
We ran into each other by pure chance
Fortune
A large amount of wealth or prosperity
Fortune
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that leads to a favorable outcome;
It was my good luck to be there
They say luck is a lady
It was as if fortune guided his hand
Fortune
Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
Fortune
A large amount of wealth or prosperity.
He inherited a fortune from his grandfather.
FAQs
Is fortune always related to wealth?
No, fortune can also refer to luck or chance in general, not just in acquiring wealth.
Is wealth only about money?
No, wealth can refer to possessions, money, and other forms of valuable assets.
Is the accumulation of wealth always a result of hard work?
Not necessarily, wealth can also be inherited or acquired through other means.
Is wealth a measure of financial success?
Often, yes, wealth is a common measure of financial prosperity and success.
Can fortune be tangible and quantifiable like wealth?
When referring to wealth, yes, but fortune as luck or chance is intangible.
Can wealth be acquired without fortune?
Yes, wealth can be acquired through planned, systematic effort, not just by fortune.
Is the pursuit of wealth always systematic?
Often, yes, accumulating wealth usually involves systematic effort and planning.
Is fortune always fleeting and unpredictable?
Often, yes, fortune implies an element of chance and uncertainty.
Is wealth always tangible and quantifiable?
Typically, yes, wealth is usually something concrete that can be measured.
Can fortune be managed and planned like wealth?
Typically, no, fortune is more about chance and is less controllable.
Can fortune lead to the acquisition of wealth?
Yes, good fortune can play a role in acquiring wealth.
Is relying on fortune a reliable way to acquire wealth?
Generally, no, relying on chance is typically less reliable than systematic effort.
Is fortune a measure of success?
Not necessarily, fortune can relate to various outcomes, not just successful ones.
Can wealth bring fortune?
It can, but wealth does not necessarily guarantee good fortune in all aspects of life.
Can wealth be maintained without continuous effort?
It depends, maintaining wealth often requires ongoing management and planning.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
