Dictionary

fateful

adjective fate·ful \ˈfāt-fəl\

: having important results : producing a serious and usually bad result

Full Definition of FATEFUL

1
:  having a quality of ominous prophecy <a fateful remark>
2
a :  involving momentous consequences :  decisive <made his fateful decision to declare war — W. L. Shirer>
b :  deadly, catastrophic
3
:  controlled by fate :  foreordained
fate·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb
fate·ful·ness noun
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First Known Use of FATEFUL

circa 1720

Synonym Discussion of FATEFUL

ominous, portentous, fateful mean having a menacing or threatening aspect. ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster <ominous rumblings from the volcano>. portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity <an eerie and portentous stillness>. fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance <the fateful conference that led to war>.

Rhymes with FATEFUL

FATEFULNESS Defined for Kids

fateful

adjective fate·ful \ˈfāt-fəl\

Definition of FATEFUL for Kids

:  having serious results <a fateful decision>

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