01 · Side by side

Side by side

Comparison sheet
AspectKismetSerendipity
Allotted in advanceYesNo
Requires you to noticeNoYes
Emotional registerResignationDelight
Root imageDivisionAn island
02 · Which one you meant

Which one did you mean?

In shortReaders who land here meaning Kismet rather than Serendipity are usually searching for phrases like “what does kismet mean”, “is kismet arabic or turkish”, “kismet vs serendipity”.

Kismet

  • “what does kismet mean”
  • “is kismet arabic or turkish”
  • “kismet vs serendipity”
  • “word for meant to be”

Serendipity

  • “what does serendipity mean”
  • “is serendipity just luck”
  • “who invented the word serendipity”
  • “serendipity vs coincidence”
03 · Which came first

Which came first

In shortSerendipity. 1722 — An English version of the source tale, The Three Princes of Serendip, had appeared; the tale reached Europe via Venice in 1557.

  1. 1722

    Serendipity. An English version of the source tale, The Three Princes of Serendip, had appeared; the tale reached Europe via Venice in 1557.

  2. 1834

    Kismet. First attested in English, borrowed from Turkish rather than directly from Arabic.

04 · Read either one

Read either one in full