fate

[ feyt ]

/ feɪt /

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See synonyms for: fate / fated / fating on Thesaurus.com

noun

something that unavoidably befalls a person; fortune; lot: It is always his fate to be left behind.

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.

that which is inevitably predetermined; destiny: Death is our ineluctable fate.

a prophetic declaration of what must be: The oracle pronounced their fate.

death, destruction, or ruin.

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.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR fate

1 karma, kismet; chance, luck.

7 foreordain, preordain.

See synonyms for fate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of fate

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”

synonym study for fate

1. 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.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fate

fate , fete

Words nearby fate

fat cat, fat cell, fat chance, Fat City, fat depot, fate, fated, fateful, fate map, fat embolism, Fates

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use fate in a sentence

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.
Mortgage rates stuck in neutral amid economic uncertainty|Kathy Orton|February 11, 2021|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.
Brothers who fled Chechnya arrested, returned to homeland|Michael K. Lavers|February 10, 2021|Washington Blade
So it seems Cuban’s attempt to stop playing the anthem will meet the same fate as others that came before it.
Mavericks’ Mark Cuban isn’t the first to try to stop playing the national anthem|Matt Bonesteel|February 10, 2021|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.
Four wild animals that are thriving in cities|By Ryan Chelius/Outdoor Life|February 9, 2021|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.
That really was one of the least enjoyable Super Bowls of all time|Neil Greenberg|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Sybil is dead, as is Matthew; Gregson is missing with dark hints about his fate.
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If we want to prevent others from your fate, we need to stop being so passive on these issues.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen|Parker Molloy|January 1, 2015|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.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet, much like the fate that fell the first season, ratings just plain weren't good.
‘The Comeback’ Finale: Give Lisa Kudrow All of the Awards|Kevin Fallon|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So how concerned should people be about the fate of the VSV vaccine?
Uh Oh: Ebola Vaccine Trials Stop|Leigh Cowart|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It seemed to free her of a responsibility which she had blindly assumed and for which Fate had not fitted her.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Terror drives you on; fate coerces you; you can't help yourself, and my delight is to make the plunge terrible.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
She was a grown young woman when she was overtaken by what she supposed to be the climax of her fate.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Noble ambition—worthy of a less ignoble cause—a better fate!
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
He has a packet in his possession, that will inform Louis de Montemar of the fate of his father.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for fate

fate

/ (feɪt) /

noun

the ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events

the inevitable fortune that befalls a person or thing; destiny

the end or final result

a calamitous or unfavourable outcome or result; death, destruction, or downfall

verb

(tr; usually passive) to predetermine; doomhe was fated to lose the game

Word Origin for fate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with fate

fate

In addition to the idioms beginning with fate

fate worse than death, a

also see:

seal one's fate
tempt fate

fate

OTHER WORDS FOR fate

Origin of fate

synonym study for fate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fate

Words nearby fate

Words related to fate

How to use fate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fate

Word Origin for fate

Other Idioms and Phrases with fate