Destiny
noun /ˈdɛstɪni/ — A predetermined future — the sense that events are directed toward a particular end.
Definition
The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future; the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future; a predetermined course of events.
Beyond the definition
Destiny is fate with a narrative — it has a sense of purpose and direction that mere fate lacks. Fate happens to you; destiny is sometimes described as something you move toward. The question of whether destiny is real or a story we tell after is not resolved by the word.
Origin & history
From Old French destinée — one's lot, fate (from destiner: to destine, from Latin destinare: to make firm, establish). The established thing — destiny as what has been made firm in advance.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She didn't believe in destiny in the cosmic sense, but she recognized patterns — which is close.
Destiny is what we call fate when we like the outcome.
He'd arrived at his destiny, which looked different close up than it had looked from far away.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Destiny” when the meaning fits your context: The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future; the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future; a predetermined course of events.
Synonyms
fate, fortune, lot, kismet, providence
Antonyms
chance, accident, randomness
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Facing a Complex Maze
An adult stands before a towering, complex stone maze, with an imposing guardian figure at the entrance.
The daunting stone maze and the imposing guardian figure represent the events and trials that constitute one's destiny. The adult's encounter at the threshold suggests a predetermined, difficult challenge that they must face, embodying the hidden power of a life's course.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Destiny" mean?
Destiny is noun meaning: A predetermined future — the sense that events are directed toward a particular end.. The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future; the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future; a predetermined course of events.
Where does the word "Destiny" come from?
From Old French destinée — one's lot, fate (from destiner: to destine, from Latin destinare: to make firm, establish). The established thing — destiny as what has been made firm in advance.