destiny

/ˈdestəni/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdestəni/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-stə-nē/ (ame, mw)

destiny — noun

  • destinysingular
  • destiniesplural

1. the events or situation that a particular person or group will one day face, esp

1.名詞B2
釋義

the events or situation that a particular person or group will one day face, especially ones that cannot be changed.

例句

Jiwoo always believed it was her destiny to become a doctor.

The two lovers felt that destiny had brought them together.

destiny as the subject that brings people together

同義詞
  • fate

    very similar in meaning, but fate often carries a darker or more negative feeling, while destiny can suggest a positive purpose.

  • fortune

    focuses on luck or wealth rather than a full life path; less about inevitability.

  • lot

    emphasises the idea that a person's situation is randomly assigned by life; slightly more formal.

反義詞
  • choice

    destiny implies events you cannot change; choice is the power to decide for yourself.

  • free will

    the philosophical opposite — the belief that people control their own actions.

文法句型

possessive + destiny

someone's destiny + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often takes a possessive determiner (my, his, her, their). Commonly pairs with verbs like fulfil, accept, escape, meet, or shape. The infinitive pattern 'it is someone's destiny to do something' is very frequent.

常見錯誤

❌I want to decide my own destiny by myself.
✅I want to decide my own destiny.
💡'by myself' is redundant; destiny already implies something personal.
❌The destiny of the company are uncertain.
✅The destiny of the company is uncertain.
💡destiny is singular and takes a singular verb, even when followed by a plural noun.

2. an invisible power or natural force that many people believe decides everything

2.名詞C1
釋義

an invisible power or natural force that many people believe decides everything that will happen in life, beyond what anyone can control.

例句

Ziad does not believe in destiny or any force that controls people's lives.

negative construction: not believe in destiny

Valentina felt that destiny was pushing her toward a difficult decision.

destiny as an active force

同義詞
  • fate

    used to describe the same controlling force, but fate can feel more negative or random.

  • providence

    carries a religious meaning — God's plan rather than an impersonal force; more formal.

  • karma

    a specific belief from Hinduism and Buddhism where actions in life determine future events.

反義詞
  • free will

    the belief that people make their own choices, opposed to destiny as a controlling force.

  • coincidence

    events that happen by chance rather than through a planned force.

文法句型

destiny + verb (as subject)

believe in destiny

用法筆記

Uncountable in this sense — do not say 'a destiny' when referring to the force. Often occurs as the subject of verbs like decide, control, determine, guide, or direct. In literature and mythology, destiny is frequently personified as a deity or a group of goddesses.

常見錯誤

❌He believes in a destiny that controls everything.
✅He believes in destiny that controls everything.
💡when referring to the abstract force, do not use the article 'a'.