adj
fateful
FAYT-fuhl
adj
1
Having major, often life-changing, consequences.
"On that fateful night, everything about their lives changed."
"It was a fateful decision that he would regret for years."
How to Use Fateful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a moment or decision that turns out to be hugely important, often in a dramatic or ominous way.
Common mistake
A "fateful" event isn't necessarily deadly — it just has major consequences, unlike "fatal", which specifically implies death or ruin.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fateful day
fateful decision
fateful meeting
Word Forms
more fateful comparative, most fateful superlative
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On that _____ night, everything about their lives changed.
Etymology
From "fate" plus "-ful".