destiny
Americannoun
plural
destinies-
something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune.
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the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.
- Synonyms:
- future
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the power or agency that determines the course of events.
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(initial capital letter) this power personified or represented as a goddess.
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the Destinies, the Fates.
noun
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the future destined for a person or thing; fate; fortune; lot
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the predetermined or inevitable course of events
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the ultimate power or agency that predetermines the course of events
noun
Usage
What does destiny mean? Destiny commonly refers to a specific future or outcome that results from a predetermined or inevitable course of events. The word can also refer to the course of events itself or to the power or force thought to make such things happen.A close synonym for all of these senses of the word destiny is fate.Destiny involves what is going to happen, what has to happen, or what is meant to be. If a certain future is said to be someone’s destiny, it can mean that it’s destined (foreordained or predetermined) to happen, or that it should happen. Destiny is often thought to be out of our control, though some people believe you can control your own destiny.Destiny is sometimes personified—represented as a person, such as a goddess who has the power to determine the course of events in life. When used this way, it is often capitalized.Destiny should not be confused with density, which is the quality of how dense or compact something is.Example: I believe it was my destiny to be there that day so that we could meet—it was meant to be.
Related Words
See fate.
Etymology
Origin of destiny
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English destinee, from Old French (noun use of past participle of destiner ), from Latin dēstināta, feminine past participle of dēstināre. See destine, -ee
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It would be strange, she said, if someone facing such a "tsunami of negative publicity over such a long time" did not feel they were losing control of their life and destiny.
From BBC
“Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blond fragility?”
From Los Angeles Times
With their title destiny out of their hands, Chelsea could now focus on the Champions League, the one major trophy they are yet to win.
From BBC
The teaser reveals Prince Adam had been sent to Earth for his safety, but now his home planet needs him to embrace his destiny as its protector.
From Los Angeles Times
“Understandably, they need to work with both at some point, but the reality is that over time, we’re going to see more investment locally to own their own destiny.”
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
