Felix culpa is a noun that refers to an error that brings fortunate consequences.

Our word of the day combines two Latin words. Felix, which means ‘happy,’ and ‘culpa,’ which means ‘fault.’ A Felix culpa could be thought of as a happy accident.

My trip getting cancelled ten years ago could have been seen as a Felix culpa. After all, because I missed my trip, I was able to meet the wonderful woman I’ve been happily married to for seventeen years.