destine
Americanverb (used with object)
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destines,
present (3rd person singular)
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destined,
past participle, past
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destining
present participle
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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:
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
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
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
When your Majesty did me the honour to destine me to this high office, I unaffectedly felt that diffidence, which my inexperience and scale of talents naturally suggested to me.
From Memoirs of the Courts and Cabinets of George the Third From the Original Family Documents, Volume 1 by Buckingham and Chandos, Richard Plantagenet Temple Nugent Brydges Chandos Grenville, Duke of
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
The King destines your hand for another, and has already announced that such is the case.
From The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III) A Tale of the French Protestants. by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
Comical quality in the humorous man whom nature destines for the stage must be personal.
From Shadows of the Stage by William Winter
An ambitious man has a son whom he destines to a learned profession.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 15, No. 92, June, 1865 by Various
The same conduct God in his tender mercy holds with regard to those chosen souls which he destines to raise, by special graces, highest in his favor.
From The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints January, February, March by Alban Butler
It’s how he was probably always destined to wind up, swiveling around from the desk and telling the audience it’s fired.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
And despite the "emotional rollercoaster" of nurturing a child destined to leave sooner rather than later, she would not change a thing.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are leading the revamped Lakers roster, but the team is still destined to endure a familiar early postseason exit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
The trouble isn’t that every digital convenience is destined to malfunction.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
He told them that they were Germany’s precious guarantee for a great future, that they were destined to lead the country.
From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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 Leopold von Ranke
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