destiny
DESS-tih-nee
/ˈdɛstɪni/
The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future.
Often implies a positive or grand purpose that is 'meant to be' or divinely ordained.
The story behind the word. Destiny comes from the Latin 'destinare', which means 'to make firm' or 'to establish.' It suggests a future that has been fixed or bolted down by a higher power, making it unshakeable.
Word relationships
- fate: Fate is often seen as negative or inescapable, while destiny can be shaped by effort.
- chance: Chance implies random luck rather than a preordained path.
Commonly confused with
- fate: Destiny is usually more hopeful; fate is often seen as a grim finality.
Word family
- destined (adjective): intended for a particular purpose or end
Collocations
- manifest destiny
- shape one's destiny
- sense of destiny
Idioms & expressions
- master of one's own destiny
Example sentences
- "Control your own destiny or someone else will." Personal Growth
- "The young prince felt that his destiny was to unite the warring tribes." Historical Narrative
Memory hook
Think of a 'destination'—destiny is the final stop on your life's journey. Destiny is your final Destination.
When not to use
Avoid using for minor, everyday occurrences; it is too heavy for 'my destiny was to eat a sandwich.'
Fun facts
- The concept of 'Manifest Destiny' was a 19th-century belief that the US was destined to expand across the continent.
Explore more words
preordained, predestined, kismet, destination, fatalism, fatalistic
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