adj

fateful

FAYT-fuhl

Fateful (adj) means having major, often life-changing, consequences. Example: “On that fateful night, everything about their lives changed.”

adj

Having major, often life-changing, consequences.

"On that fateful night, everything about their lives changed."

"It was a fateful decision that he would regret for years."

How to use fateful

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes a moment or decision that turns out to be hugely important, often in a dramatic or ominous way.

Common mistake

A "fateful" event isn't necessarily deadly — it just has major consequences, unlike "fatal", which specifically implies death or ruin.

Easily confused with

fatal →

Common pairings

fateful day fateful decision fateful meeting

Word forms

more fateful comparative, most fateful superlative

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On that _____ night, everything about their lives changed.

Etymology

From "fate" plus "-ful".

Rhymes for fateful

useful woeful eyeful careful hopeful hateful grateful spiteful forceful graceful wasteful vengeful

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Frequently asked questions

What does “fateful” mean?

The word “fateful” means having major, often life-changing, consequences. In plain terms, describes a moment or decision that turns out to be hugely important, often in a dramatic or ominous way.

How do you pronounce “fateful”?

“Fateful” is pronounced FAYT-fuhl (/ˈfeɪtfəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “fateful” in a sentence?

Here is “fateful” used in a sentence: “On that fateful night, everything about their lives changed.”

What part of speech is “fateful”?

“Fateful” is an adjective.