First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
destiny
noun des·ti·ny \ˈdes-tə-nē\
: what happens in the future : the things that someone or something will experience in the future
: a power that is believed to control what happens in the future
plural des·ti·nies
Full Definition of DESTINY
2
: a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency
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Origin of DESTINY
Middle English destinee, from Anglo-French, from feminine of destiné, past participle of destiner
Synonym Discussion of DESTINY
fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end. fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome <the fate of the submarine is unknown>. destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end <the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world>. lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance <it was her lot to die childless>, portion implying the apportioning of good and evil <remorse was his daily portion>. doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate <if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain>.
DESTINY Defined for Kids
destiny
noun des·ti·ny \ˈde-stə-nē\
plural des·ti·nies
Definition of DESTINY for Kids
1
: what happens to someone or something in the future <You can decide your own destiny.>
2
: the course of events believed to be controlled by a superhuman power
3
: a power that is believed to control the future
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