adjective
Common
destined
DEHS-tihnd
Destined (adjective) means Certain to happen or become something, as if by fate. Example: “The shy girl seemed destined to become a famous singer one day.”
adjective
1
Certain to happen or become something, as if by fate.
"The shy girl seemed destined to become a famous singer one day."
"When Hape sauntered over for a try after only three minutes it looked as if England were destined for a comfortable victory, but Georgia are made of sterner stuff, as they showed when running Scotland close in Invercargill last week."
— Ben Dirs, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 41-10 Georgia (2011)
"He always felt destined for greatness."
"The plan was destined to fail from the start."
"He is sure he is destined for fame."
How to use destined
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSet to happen no matter what, as though fate had already decided it.
Common pairings
destined for
destined to fail
destined to become
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for destined
See all rhymes for destined →Frequently asked questions
What does “destined” mean?
The word “destined” means certain to happen or become something, as if by fate. In plain terms, set to happen no matter what, as though fate had already decided it.
How do you pronounce “destined”?
“Destined” is pronounced DEHS-tihnd (/ˈdɛstɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “destined” in a sentence?
Here is “destined” used in a sentence: “He always felt destined for greatness.”
What part of speech is “destined”?
“Destined” is an adjective.
Is “destined” a common word?
“Destined” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between destined and destiny?
Destined is an adjective describing something certain to happen or become, as in "destined for success," while destiny is the noun referring to the force or the fate itself. Destiny is the concept; destined describes something shaped by that concept.
How is destined used with 'for' or 'to'?
Destined is commonly followed by "for" plus a noun, as in "destined for greatness," or by "to" plus a verb, as in "destined to succeed." Both patterns describe an outcome presented as certain or fated.
What is the difference between destined and predetermined?
Destined carries a sense of fate or an inevitable outcome, often used in a hopeful or dramatic tone, while predetermined simply means decided or fixed in advance, without necessarily implying fate. Destined suggests something beyond human control; predetermined can result from ordinary planning.