destine
Americanverb (used with object)
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to set apart for a particular use, purpose, etc.; design; intend.
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to appoint or ordain beforehand, as by divine decree; foreordain; predetermine.
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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destinesimple
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destinessimple
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have destinedperfect
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has destinedperfect
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am destiningprogressive
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are destiningprogressive
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is destiningprogressive
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have been destiningperfect progressive
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has been destiningperfect progressive
Past
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destinedsimple
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had destinedperfect
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was destiningprogressive
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were destiningprogressive
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had been destiningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of destine
1250–1300; Middle English destinen < Old French destiner < Latin dēstināre to establish, determine, equivalent to dē- de- + *stanāre, derivative of stāre to stand
Explanation
The verb destine means to predetermine the way something will end up. In Greek mythology, sharing fire with humans destines Prometheus to have his liver eaten by an eagle every day. Um, thanks? Scientists believe that failing to reverse climate change will destine our planet to some irreversible negative effects. And refusing to take swimming lessons might destine you to feeling left out every summer, as you watch your friends diving into pools and swimming holes. The Old French root is destinée, "purpose, intent, fate, or destiny."
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.
See Examples For:
A checkup in the womb Is the unborn baby healthy, or does a defect destine it to an early death or a life of debilitating illness?
From Time Magazine Archive
Blake Hamilton and crew have done an outstanding job building and maintaining what is destine become a Lone Star icon.
From Time Magazine Archive
Since Mussolini was believed to favor the Council, there was a rustle of Fascist surprise last week when he seemed to destine the Assembly to succeed the Chamber of Deputies.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Congress have seen such a necessity of an able commander in Canada, as to destine you for that most arduous service .
From Time Magazine Archive
"And for whom do you destine that account?"
From The Blacksmith's Hammer, or The Peasant Code A Tale of the Grand Monarch by Sue, Eug?ne
A score that destines young doctors-to-be to a life of ennui in a job they do not enjoy, because they could not match into the competitive specialty of their dreams.
From Scientific American ● Mar. 12, 2020
Allow me, then, to call him here so as to restore his confidence; or, better still, come and show me the portion, which your munificence destines for me.
From Wood Rangers The Trappers of Sonora by Reid, Mayne
He shows not His purposes, but it would seem he destines Feodor, his young son, to be our tsar.
From Boris Godunov: a drama in verse by Hayes, Alfred
God destines you to accomplish great things for his glory, and exterior humiliations in your case not being suited to his designs, he makes use of concealed humiliations, known only to yourself and God.
From Letters of Madam Guyon by Guyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte
What the Lord destines, he buys—some old iron, a bundle of rags, an old sack, or else a hide.
From Jewish Children by Berman, Hannah
It’s equally fair to call it an art video destined to be projected on the backdrop of a dance floor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Microsoft’s stock is destined to break out, according to Bernstein analyst Mark Moerdler.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
For one, the Kirk killing was destined to become tied up with the internet’s passion for true crime.
From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026
For so long it appeared Zverev was destined to end his career as arguably the best men's player never to win a major title.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
The timing’s so perfect that it seems like I was destined to grab my Stevie books, sneak next door, and ride to the book signing with them.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
They awoke Henry III's dynastic ambition by promoting the elevation of his brother to be King of the Romans, and destining his younger son Edmund for the crown of Naples and Sicily.
From A History of England Principally in the Seventeenth Century, Volume I (of 6) by Ranke, Leopold von
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.
