Destine

Destine is a transitive verb meaning to intend for a particular end or purpose, or to designate or set aside for a specific use. It can also mean to appoint someone or something to a certain fate or outcome. In practice, it is commonly used with be destined for in modern English, as in “The funds are destined for the hospital” or “She was destined for the stage.” The present tense form destines exists, but many speakers prefer the passive construction be destined for or the simpler be set aside for for contemporary usage.

Etymology and history: destine comes from the Old French destiner, which derives from Latin destinare, meaning to determine or appoint. It entered English in the late Middle Ages and has retained a literary or formal tone. Related words include destiny (fate) and destination (a place to reach).

Usage notes: Destine is more common in formal, literary, or poetic registers than in everyday speech. The sense of fate or predetermined outcome is often conveyed through the adjective destined or the passive be destined for, rather than the bare verb alone. For example, “The project seems destined for success” emphasizes a probable outcome, while “The land was destined for public use” highlights a designated purpose.

See also: destiny, destination, designate.