What does fatalist mean?
A fatalist is a person who believes that events are fixed in advance and that human effort cannot change them. In philosophy, fatalism is the doctrine that whatever will happen is already determined, distinct from determinism's causal account of how it happens. In everyday usage, calling someone a fatalist often suggests a resigned, 'whatever will be, will be' attitude — someone who accepts setbacks without struggle rather than fighting to alter them. The word derives ultimately from the Latin fatum, meaning 'that which has been spoken,' reflecting the ancient idea that destiny was decreed by divine utterance. Related forms include fatalism (the belief), fatalistic (the adjective), and fatality (a death resulting from an event). While fatalists appear across many cultures and eras — from Stoic thinkers to modern colloquial usage — the label usually implies passivity, and it is rarely adopted as a self-description except with irony or genuine philosophical conviction.
A person who believes that all events are predetermined and inevitable and that human action cannot change them.
"He was a fatalist who saw no point in locking the front door."
In philosophical writing, the term denotes an adherent of fatalism specifically; in ordinary speech it often implies mere resignation.
A person who accepts circumstances with passive resignation, believing that striving against them is futile.
"Don't be such a fatalist — your vote really does count."
This extended sense is frequently pejorative, implying lack of agency or initiative.
Standard plural; used both for adherents of philosophical fatalism and for people with a generally resigned attitude.
"The ancient Stoics are sometimes mistaken for pure fatalists, though their philosophy left room for human effort."
The word 'fatalist' traces back to Latin 'fatum' — literally 'that which has been spoken' — because the gods of myth were thought to decree destinies in words.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fatalist
Fatalist comes from 'fatal,' which descends from the Latin 'fatum' ('that which has been spoken'), referring to a decree of destiny uttered by the gods. The term emerged in European languages in the 17th century as debates over predestination and free will intensified; English 'fatalist' is attested from around the mid-17th century. It shares its root with 'fatalism,' 'fatality,' and 'fate,' all tracing back to the same Latin source, and is cognate with French 'fataliste.'
Related word forms
How fatalist is actually used
The word carries mildly negative connotations of passivity or resignation when used in everyday speech, though it is neutral in philosophical contexts describing adherents of fatalism. It is formal to neutral in register.
Easily confused with fatalist
Fatalism is the belief system or doctrine itself, while a fatalist is the person who holds it.
A defeatist expects failure and gives up on specific endeavors, whereas a fatalist believes outcomes are fixed by destiny regardless of effort.