Advertisement

destiny (n.)

mid-14c., "fate, over-ruling necessity, the irresistible tendency of certain events to come about; inexorable force that shapes and controls lives and events;" also "that which is predetermined and sure to come true," from Old French destinée "purpose, intent, fate, destiny; that which is destined" (12c.), noun use of fem. past participle of destiner, from Latin destinare "make firm, establish" (see destination).

The sense is of "that which has been firmly established," as by fate. Especially "what is to befall any person or thing in the future" (mid-15c.). In Greek and Roman mythology, personified as the three Fates or powers supposed to preside over human life.

Others are reading

Advertisement
Definitions of destiny from WordNet

destiny (n.)
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future;
Synonyms: fate
destiny (n.)
the ultimate agency regarded as predetermining the course of events (often personified as a woman);
we are helpless in the face of destiny
Synonyms: fate
destiny (n.)
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Synonyms: fortune / fate / luck / lot / circumstances / portion
From wordnet.princeton.edu