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

“No one deserves the fate of being executed and then set on fire in the middle of the desert in a desperate attempt by a killer to cover up his crimes.”

From Los Angeles Times

But I found myself worrying less about the existence of God or the fate of the young protagonist and more about those caged women.

From Los Angeles Times

“Pacific Overtures” covers enormous ground, but at the center are two characters whose fates reflect their nation’s travails.

From Los Angeles Times

Now Ms Buyanova was in the dock and about to learn her fate.

From BBC

His mother – the boys' grandma – revealed that Victor had been ready to throw himself into the torrent and surrender to his fate, but then stopped.

From BBC

Related Words

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