fate
[ feyt ]
/ feɪt /
noun
verb (used with object), fat·ed, fat·ing.
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.
Origin of fate
1325–75; Middle English < Latin
fātum utterance, decree of fate, destiny, orig. neuter of
fātus, past participle of
fārī to speak
SYNONYMS FOR fate
1
karma,
kismet;
chance,
luck.
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.
7 foreordain, preordain.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fate
fate fete (see synonym study at the current entry)Words nearby fate
fatality,
fatality rate,
fatally,
fatback,
fatbody,
fate,
fate map,
fate worse than death, a,
fated,
fateful,
fates
Example sentences from the Web for fates
British Dictionary definitions for fates (1 of 2)
Fates
/ (feɪts) /
pl n
British Dictionary definitions for fates (2 of 2)
fate
/ (feɪt) /
noun
the ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events
the inevitable fortune that befalls a person or thing; destiny
the end or final result
a calamitous or unfavourable outcome or result; death, destruction, or downfall
verb
(tr; usually passive)
to predetermine; doom
he was fated to lose the game
Word Origin for fate
C14: from Latin
fātum oracular utterance, from
fārī to speak
Idioms and Phrases with fates
fate