destiny

American  

[des-tuh-nee] / ˈdɛs tə ni /

noun

plural

destinies

1. something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune.

   Synonyms:

   kismet, karma, fate

2. the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.

   Synonyms:

   future

3. the power or agency that determines the course of events.

4. (initial capital letter) this power personified or represented as a goddess.

5. the Destinies, the Fates.

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destiny ¹ British  

/ ˈdɛstɪnɪ /

noun

1. the future destined for a person or thing; fate; fortune; lot

2. the predetermined or inevitable course of events

3. the ultimate power or agency that predetermines the course of events

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Destiny ² British  

/ ˈdɛstɪnɪ /

noun

1. the power that predetermines events, personified as a goddess

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Usage

What does destiny mean? Destiny commonly refers to a specific future or outcome that results from a predetermined or inevitable course of events. The word can also refer to the course of events itself or to the power or force thought to make such things happen. A close synonym for all of these senses of the word destiny is fate. Destiny involves what is going to happen, what has to happen, or what is meant to be. If a certain future is said to be someone’s destiny, it can mean that it’s destined (foreordained or predetermined) to happen, or that it should happen. Destiny is often thought to be out of our control, though some people believe you can control your own destiny. Destiny is sometimes personified—represented as a person, such as a goddess who has the power to determine the course of events in life. When used this way, it is often capitalized. Destiny should not be confused with density, which is the quality of how dense or compact something is. Example: I believe it was my destiny to be there that day so that we could meet—it was meant to be.

Related Words

See fate.

Etymology

Origin of destiny

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English destinee, from Old French (noun use of past participle of destiner ), from Latin dēstināta, feminine past participle of dēstināre. See destine, -ee

Explanation

Destiny is what's meant to be, what's written in the stars, your inescapable fate. You might think it's your destiny to own a dog, but your sad goldfish survival rate should tell you that happy pets probably aren't in your future. A noun meaning fate, destiny is synonymous with other nouns like divine decree, fortune, and serendipity. There's no avoiding destiny — it's going to happen no matter what you do. But before you get bogged down worrying about what the distant future holds, remember what Winston Churchill said: “It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.”

Example Sentences

“Our biological destiny is to have babies,” she wrote.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

Mikel Arteta's men are aiming for the club's first league title since 2004 - and with a nine-point lead and seven games remaining, have destiny in their own hands.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

The practice has deep roots in incel forums and the broader manosphere, where appearance is treated as destiny and social life is reduced to a brutal, pseudo-Darwinian hierarchy.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

But it’s wonderful to watch her chart her own destiny.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Holding to the trunk of a tree, he stole one last look at the small human whose destiny had been strangely intertwined with his own.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• circumstance
• future
• inevitability
• intention
• objective
• prospect