predestine

[ pri-des-tin ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·des·tined, pre·des·tin·ing.

1. to destine in advance; foreordain; predetermine:

   He seemed predestined for the ministry.

predestine

/ priːˈdɛstɪn /

verb

1. to foreordain; determine beforehand
2. theol (of God) to decree from eternity (any event, esp the final salvation of individuals)

Derived Forms

• preˈdestinable, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·des·ti·na·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predestine¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English predestinen, from Latin praedestināre; pre-, destine

Word History and Origins

Origin of predestine¹

C14: from Latin praedestināre to resolve beforehand, from destināre to determine, destine

Example Sentences

They’re young women on the cusp of launching their own stories beyond what’s been predestined.

From Washington Post

I wouldn’t say it was predestined, but I certainly think my early years definitely helped me understand that finance was accessible and something I could get into and be good at.

From Ozy

He lived, as it were, under the shadow of some fatal curse which seemed to predestine all his actions to failure.

From Project Gutenberg

Their tropisms predestine or force them into the life they lead.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• foreordain