adj
fateful
FAYT-fuhl
Fateful (adj) means having major, often life-changing, consequences. Example: “On that fateful night, everything about their lives changed.”
adj
1
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
fateful day
fateful decision
fateful meeting
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like fateful.
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
- Comparative
- more fateful
- Superlative
- most fateful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
On that _____ night, everything about their lives changed.
Etymology
From "fate" plus "-ful".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fateful
See all rhymes for fateful →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.
