ˈsɝkəmstænsɪz ˈsɜːkəmst(ə)nsɪz ˈdɛzɪɡ.nət ˈdɛstɪn ˈdɛstɪni duːm feɪt feɪt ˈfɔːtʃuːn ˈfɔɹtʃən lɒt lɑt lʌk lʌk ˈpɔɹʃən ˈpɔːʃən decree or designate beforehand She was destined to become a great pianist an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future the ultimate agency regarded as predetermining the course of events we are helpless in the face of destiny your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you) whatever my fortune may be deserved a better fate has a happy lot the luck of the Irish a victim of circumstances success that was her portion