Words / B1

FAYT/feɪt/

Fate is what happens to someone, especially when it seems outside their control: the fate of the factory; a fate worse than. Destiny is a close twin with a more personal tone. Future is everyday and more neutral. Do not mix fate with fete (a village fair) or feat (an achievement). Leave to fate is an idiom.

Meaning

What happens to someone, especially when it seems outside their control.

Examples

• “The fate of the steelworks will be decided in Parliament.”
• “They refused to leave the appeal to fate and hired a solicitor.”

Good to know

the fate of + noun. Close: destiny. Mix-ups: fete, feat. Idiom: leave something to fate. Neutral: future.

Near in meaning

destiny

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