destiny
DEHS-tih-nee
Destiny (noun) means the events that will necessarily happen to someone or something in the future, especially when thought of as being outside anyone's control. Example: “Some people feel that destiny decides who we meet, no matter what we do.”
noun
1
The events that will necessarily happen to someone or something in the future, especially when thought of as being outside anyone's control.
"Some people feel that destiny decides who we meet, no matter what we do."
"She believed it was her destiny to become a doctor."
"The two nations' destinies became intertwined after the war."
How to use destiny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person's or thing's eventual fate, especially when it feels predetermined.
Common pairings
fulfil your destiny
shape your own destiny
a sense of destiny
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like destiny.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- destinies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Some people feel that _____ decides who we meet, no matter what we do.
Etymology
From Old French destinee, from Latin destinare, "to determine or fix".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for destiny
See all rhymes for destiny →Frequently asked questions
What does “destiny” mean?
The word “destiny” means the events that will necessarily happen to someone or something in the future, especially when thought of as being outside anyone's control. In plain terms, a person's or thing's eventual fate, especially when it feels predetermined.
How do you pronounce “destiny”?
“Destiny” is pronounced DEHS-tih-nee (/ˈdɛs.tɪ.ni/ in IPA).
How do you use “destiny” in a sentence?
Here is “destiny” used in a sentence: “She believed it was her destiny to become a doctor.”
What part of speech is “destiny”?
“Destiny” is a noun.
Where does the word “destiny” come from?
The word “destiny” comes from Latin. From Old French destinee, from Latin destinare, "to determine or fix".
Is “destiny” a common word?
“Destiny” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between destiny and fate?
Both refer to events that are set to happen and are seen as beyond a person's control. In common usage, 'fate' often carries a sense of an inescapable, sometimes negative outcome, while 'destiny' can suggest a purpose one is meant to fulfil, though the two words are frequently interchangeable.
What is the difference between destiny and fortune?
Fortune refers to luck or chance and the good or bad turns of events it brings. Destiny is the predetermined course of events thought to be fixed in advance, so fortune emphasizes chance while destiny emphasizes what is meant to be.
What is the difference between destiny and free will?
Destiny suggests that certain events are fixed in advance and outside anyone's control. Free will is the ability to make one's own choices, so the two ideas are often contrasted in discussions of whether the future is predetermined.
Is 'destiny' countable?
Destiny is usually uncountable when it means the overall predetermined course of events. It can be countable when referring to the futures of different people, as in 'the destinies of two nations.'
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include destiny:
