fateful

American  

[feyt-fuhl] / ˈfeɪt fəl /

adjective

1. having momentous significance or consequences; decisively important; portentous.

   a fateful meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

2. fatal, deadly, or disastrous.

3. controlled or determined by destiny; inexorable.

4. prophetic; ominous.

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fateful British  

/ ˈfeɪtfʊl /

adjective

1. having important consequences; decisively important

2. bringing death or disaster

3. controlled by or as if by fate

4. prophetic

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Related Words

See ominous.

Other Word Forms

• fatefully adverb
• fatefulness noun

Etymology

Origin of fateful

First recorded in 1705–15; fate + -ful

Example Sentences

For a single, fateful night, Johnston had been on the mountain.

From Literature

The documentary features footage from that fateful day in Dodger Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times

“One uncharacteristic and fateful act got in the way.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Eventually the fateful time comes when their mutual missions intersect.

From The Wall Street Journal

On that fateful day in March when he sent Matthiesen that confessional email, Doyle strongly suggested that his disappearing act would be final.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• calamitous
• cataclysmic
• catastrophic
• disastrous
• fatal