fate

[ feyt ]

noun

1. something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune; lot:

   It is always his fate to be left behind.

   Synonyms: luck, chance, kismet, karma

2. the universal principle or ultimate agency by which the order of things is presumably prescribed; the decreed cause of events; time:

   Fate decreed that they would never meet again.

3. that which is inevitably predetermined; destiny:

   Death is our ineluctable fate.

4. a prophetic declaration of what must be:

   The oracle pronounced their fate.

5. death, destruction, or ruin.
6. the Fates, Classical Mythology. the three goddesses of destiny, known to the Greeks as the Moerae and to the Romans as the Parcae.

verb (used with object)

, fat·ed, fat·ing.

1. to predetermine, as by the decree of fate; destine (used in the passive):

   a person who was fated to be the savior of the country.

   Synonyms: preordain, foreordain

fate

/ feɪt /

noun

1. the ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events
2. the inevitable fortune that befalls a person or thing; destiny
3. the end or final result
4. a calamitous or unfavourable outcome or result; death, destruction, or downfall

verb

1. tr; usually passive to predetermine; doom

   he was fated to lose the game

Word History and Origins

Origin of fate¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French, from Latin fātum “what has been spoken, utterance, decree of fate, destiny,” originally neuter of fātus, past participle of fārī “to speak”

Word History and Origins

Origin of fate¹

C14: from Latin fātum oracular utterance, from fārī to speak

Idioms and Phrases

• seal one's fate
• tempt fate

Synonym Study

Fate, destiny, doom refer to the idea of a fortune, usually adverse, that is predetermined and inescapable. The three words are frequently interchangeable. Fate stresses the irrationality and impersonal character of events: It was Napoleon's fate to be exiled. The word is often lightly used, however: It was my fate to meet her that very afternoon. Destiny emphasizes the idea of an unalterable course of events, and is often used of a propitious fortune: It was his destiny to save his nation. Doom especially applies to the final ending, always unhappy or terrible, brought about by destiny or fate: He met his doom bravely.

Example Sentences

In the near-term, that path forward will depend largely on the fate of the next wave of fiscal relief and covid-19 vaccine developments.

From Washington Post

The State Department has expressed concern over the fate of two brothers from Chechnya who were arrested in Russia and returned to their homeland from which they fled.

From Washington Blade

So it seems Cuban’s attempt to stop playing the anthem will meet the same fate as others that came before it.

From Washington Post

This wasn’t the first time my father had come across a timberdoodle that met its fate by flying into an NYC skyscraper.

From Popular-Science

Kansas City would add just one more field goal in the third quarter, sealing their fate in a 31-9 loss, the 11th-highest point differential in Super Bowl history.

From Washington Post

Sybil is dead, as is Matthew; Gregson is missing with dark hints about his fate.

From The Daily Beast

If we want to prevent others from your fate, we need to stop being so passive on these issues.

From The Daily Beast

The fate of AirAsia Flight 8501 and the 162 souls on board is a tragedy, but it will not remain a mystery for much longer.

From The Daily Beast

Yet, much like the fate that fell the first season, ratings just plain weren't good.

From The Daily Beast

So how concerned should people be about the fate of the VSV vaccine?

From The Daily Beast

It seemed to free her of a responsibility which she had blindly assumed and for which Fate had not fitted her.

From Project Gutenberg

Terror drives you on; fate coerces you; you can't help yourself, and my delight is to make the plunge terrible.

From Project Gutenberg

She was a grown young woman when she was overtaken by what she supposed to be the climax of her fate.

From Project Gutenberg

Noble ambition—worthy of a less ignoble cause—a better fate!

From Project Gutenberg

He has a packet in his possession, that will inform Louis de Montemar of the fate of his father.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chance
• circumstance
• consequence
• destiny
• effect
• future
• issue
• outcome