English Meaning & Definitions
Destined to experience misfortune, failure, or an unhappy ending.
- “The ill-fated expedition never returned from the frozen wilderness.”
- “Their ill-fated romance ended abruptly after only a few months.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “ill-fated”.
Derived from the Middle English 'ill' (bad, evil) and 'fated' (destined, determined by fate). The term combines the Old Norse 'illr' (bad) with the Latin-derived 'fatum' (that which has been spoken/decreed by the gods), reflecting the ancient belief that some people or endeavors are cursed by destiny from the start.
Think of a 'fated' event that went 'ill'—it was doomed from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions About “ill-fated”
1. What is the meaning of “ill-fated” in English?
In English, ill-fated (adjective) is defined as: “Destined to experience misfortune, failure, or an unhappy ending.”.
2. How do you use “ill-fated” in a sentence?
“The ill-fated expedition never returned from the frozen wilderness.”
3. What are English synonyms of “ill-fated”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “ill-fated”?
Derived from the Middle English 'ill' (bad, evil) and 'fated' (destined, determined by fate). The term combines the Old Norse 'illr' (bad) with the Latin-derived 'fatum' (that which has been spoken/decreed by the gods), reflecting the ancient belief that some people or endeavors are cursed by destiny from the start.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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