What does predestinated mean?
Predestinated means determined in advance, especially by divine will or by forces understood to be beyond human control. It is used most often for a person whose future appears to have been fixed before any opportunity or choice arose: a performer may be described as predestined for stardom, or a leader as predestined to guide a nation. In theological writing, the word refers directly to the belief that God has decided in advance who will be saved or what will happen. In secular contexts, it is usually literary and can describe an apparently inevitable role, success, tragedy, or historical outcome. Although closely related to destiny and predetermination, predestinated commonly suggests a fixed personal or historical destiny. In general speech, destined is usually more natural and less solemn, while fated may carry a stronger sense of unavoidable misfortune.
Destined or determined in advance, especially by divine will or an unavoidable sequence of events.
"He felt predestined to play a leading role in the movement."
Common in theological and literary contexts; in everyday use, destined is generally more neutral.
To determine or appoint someone's fate, course, or outcome in advance.
"The doctrine predestinated certain individuals for salvation."
Now uncommon as an active verb and encountered chiefly in formal or theological writing.
From Calvinist theology to the language of romance and ambition, predestinated carries the striking idea that some futures are settled before we reach them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does predestinated come from?
Predestinated derives from Latin praedestinare, formed from prae- (“before”) and destinare (“to determine, appoint, or make certain”). The English noun predestination and the adjective predestinate were borrowed with their theological associations during the 16th century. The same Latin root also produced destiny, destine, and destination, all of which concern what is appointed or determined in advance.
Related word forms
How predestinated is actually used
The word is chiefly theological or literary and can sound formal or archaic in everyday speech. It often conveys the stronger implication that a person's destiny has been fixed irrevocably, rather than merely that an outcome is probable.
Easily confused with predestinated
Predestined often refers to a fate or outcome fixed in advance, especially by divine will, whereas predetermined more broadly means fixed or decided beforehand.