Fate vs. Fortune — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Fate refers to a predetermined course of events beyond human control, while fortune relates to luck or chance, often affecting wealth or success.
Difference Between Fate and Fortune
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fate is often seen as a fixed, unchangeable sequence of events that is predetermined and beyond human influence, implying a sense of inevitability in the course of one's life. Fortune, on the other hand, denotes the ebb and flow of luck or chance that a person experiences, which can be positive or negative and is usually unpredictable.
While fate is associated with the concept of destiny or a predetermined path that one is meant to follow, fortune is more closely tied to random occurrences or luck that can change a person's situation for better or worse. This distinction highlights fate's deterministic nature versus the variability of fortune.
The belief in fate can lead to a philosophical or resigned approach to life's events, accepting them as part of a grand design or destiny that cannot be altered. In contrast, the concept of fortune allows for a more dynamic interpretation of life, where outcomes can be influenced by actions, decisions, and, to some extent, manipulation of circumstances.
Fate is often discussed in the context of literature, mythology, and philosophy, serving as a central theme in stories and discussions about the human condition and free will. Fortune, however, is frequently referenced in everyday situations, gambling, and discussions on economic and social status, reflecting its association with luck and material wealth.
Culturally, fate is viewed with a certain reverence or fatalism, especially in societies that value predetermined roles and destinies. Fortune, however, is often sought after, with individuals and societies alike trying to attract good fortune through various means, including superstitions, rituals, and symbols.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Predetermined course of events beyond control
Luck or chance, often affecting wealth or success
Nature
Fixed, unchangeable
Variable, unpredictable
Philosophical Association
Destiny, inevitability
Luck, chance
Influence on Life
Unalterable path
Can be influenced by actions and decisions
Cultural Perception
Often revered or seen with fatalism
Sought after, associated with wealth and success
Common Contexts
Literature, mythology, philosophy
Everyday situations, gambling, economic status
Compare with Definitions
Fate
The development of events outside a person's control, regarded as predetermined.
They believed it was fate that they met that day.
Fortune
Chance or luck as an arbitrary force affecting human affairs.
Fortune smiled on her, and she won the lottery.
Fate
The outcome or result predetermined by destiny.
His fate was sealed the moment he chose to betray.
Fortune
A prediction of future events, often from a mystical source.
The fortune teller predicted great success in her future.
Fate
Destiny; the inevitable course of life.
She accepted her fate with dignity.
Fortune
The success or failure brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.
Despite the odds, his venture was a great fortune.
Fate
A predetermined future, believed to be a fixed timeline.
The prophecy foretold his fate.
Fortune
An unexpected turn of events, often positive.
By a happy fortune, they found the missing key.
Fate
The force or principle believed to predetermine events.
Fate intervened, and their paths crossed again.
Fortune
A large amount of money or assets; wealth.
He inherited a fortune from his relatives.
Fate
The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events
Fate did not favor his career.
Fortune
The chance happening of fortunate or adverse events; luck
He decided to travel, and his fortune turned for the worse.
Fate
The inevitable events predestined by this force
It was her fate to marry a lout.
Fortune
Fortunes The turns of luck in the course of one's life.
Fate
A final result or consequence; an outcome
What was the fate of your project?.
Fortune
Success, especially when at least partially resulting from luck
No matter what they tried, it ended in fortune.
Fate
An unfavorable outcome in life; doom or death
Suffered a fate worse than death.
The island where the explorer met his fate.
Fortune
A person's condition or standing in life determined by material possessions or financial wealth
She pursued her fortune in Rome.
Fate
Fates Greek & Roman Mythology The three goddesses, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who control human destiny. Used with the.
Fortune
Extensive amounts of material possessions or money; wealth.
Fate
The presumed cause, force, principle, or divine will that predetermines events.
Fortune
A large sum of money
Spent a fortune on the new car.
Fate
The effect, consequence, outcome, or inevitable events predetermined by this cause.
Fortune
Often Fortune A hypothetical, often personified force or power that favorably or unfavorably governs the events of one's life
We believe that Fortune is on our side.
Fate
An event or a situation which is inevitable in the fullness of time.
Fortune
Fate; destiny
Told my fortune with tarot cards.
Fate
Destiny; often with a connotation of death, ruin, misfortune, etc.
Accept your fate.
Fortune
A foretelling of one's destiny.
Fate
(mythology) Fate (one of the goddesses said to control the destiny of human beings).
Fortune
(Archaic) To endow with wealth.
Fate
(biochemistry) The products of a chemical reaction in their final form in the biosphere.
Fortune
(Obsolete) To ascribe or give good or bad fortune to.
Fate
(embryology) The mature endpoint of a region, group of cells or individual cell in an embryo, including all changes leading to that mature endpoint
Fortune
To occur by chance; happen.
Fate
A fixed decree by which the order of things is prescribed; the immutable law of the universe; inevitable necessity; the force by which all existence is determined and conditioned.
Necessity and chanceApproach not me; and what I will is fate.
Beyond and above the Olympian gods lay the silent, brooding, everlasting fate of which victim and tyrant were alike the instruments.
Fortune
Destiny, especially favorable.
She read my fortune. Apparently I will have a good love life this week, but I will have a bad week for money.
Fate
Appointed lot; allotted life; arranged or predetermined event; destiny; especially, the final lot; doom; ruin; death.
The great, th'important day, big with the fateOf Cato and of Rome.
Our wills and fates do so contrary runThat our devices still are overthrown.
The whizzing arrow sings,And bears thy fate, Antinous, on its wings.
Fortune
A prediction or set of predictions about a person's future provided by a fortune teller.
Fate
The element of chance in the affairs of life; the unforeseen and unestimated conitions considered as a force shaping events; fortune; esp., opposing circumstances against which it is useless to struggle; as, fate was, or the fates were, against him.
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate.
Sometimes an hour of Fate's serenest weather strikes through our changeful sky its coming beams.
Fortune
A small slip of paper with wise or vaguely prophetic words printed on it, baked into a fortune cookie.
Fate
The three goddesses, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, sometimes called the Destinies, or Parcæwho were supposed to determine the course of human life. They are represented, one as holding the distaff, a second as spinning, and the third as cutting off the thread.
Fortune
The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance; accident.
Fate
An event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
Fortune
Good luck.
Fortune favors the brave.
Fate
The ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events (often personified as a woman);
We are helpless in the face of Destiny
Fortune
One's wealth; the amount of money one has, especially if it is vast.
He's amassed a small fortune working in the Middle East.
My vast fortune was a result of inheritance and stock market nous.
Her fortune is estimated at 3 million dollars.
Fate
Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
Fortune
A large amount of money.
That car must be worth a fortune! How could you afford it?
Fate
Decree or designate beforehand;
She was destined to become a great pianist
Fortune
(transitive)
Fortune
To provide (someone) with a fortune.
Fortune
To tell the fortune of (someone); to presage.
Fortune
To happen, to take place.
Fortune
The arrival of something in a sudden or unexpected manner; chance; accident; luck; hap; also, the personified or deified power regarded as determining human success, apportioning happiness and unhappiness, and distributing arbitrarily or fortuitously the lots of life.
'T is more by fortune, lady, than by merit.
O Fortune, Fortune, all men call thee fickle.
Fortune
That which befalls or is to befall one; lot in life, or event in any particular undertaking; fate; destiny; as, to tell one's fortune.
You, who men's fortunes in their faces read.
Fortune
That which comes as the result of an undertaking or of a course of action; good or ill success; especially, favorable issue; happy event; success; prosperity as reached partly by chance and partly by effort.
Our equal crimes shall equal fortune give.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.
His father dying, he was driven to seek his fortune.
Fortune
Wealth; large possessions; large estate; riches; as, a gentleman of fortune.
Fortune
To make fortunate; to give either good or bad fortune to.
Fortune
To provide with a fortune.
Fortune
To presage; to tell the fortune of.
Fortune
To fall out; to happen.
It fortuned the same night that a Christian, serving a Turk in the camp, secretely gave the watchmen warning.
Fortune
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another;
Bad luck caused his downfall
We ran into each other by pure chance
Fortune
A large amount of wealth or prosperity
Fortune
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that leads to a favorable outcome;
It was my good luck to be there
They say luck is a lady
It was as if fortune guided his hand
Fortune
Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
Common Curiosities
Can one's fortune be changed?
Yes, fortune, being associated with luck and chance, can change for better or worse based on circumstances.
What is fate?
Fate is the belief in a predetermined, unchangeable course of events that is beyond human control.
How are fate and fortune represented in literature?
Fate often appears as a force guiding the narrative, while fortune may be depicted through the changing circumstances of characters.
What is fortune?
Fortune relates to luck or chance, particularly as it affects a person's wealth or success.
How do fate and fortune affect decision-making?
The belief in fate might lead to more resigned or predetermined decision-making, while belief in fortune can encourage risk-taking or attempts to influence outcomes.
Is fate universally accepted?
Beliefs about fate vary widely across different cultures and individuals, with some viewing it as absolute and others as a concept or myth.
Do fate and fortune play roles in all cultures?
Yes, concepts of fate and fortune are present in various forms across many cultures, though their interpretations and importance can vary.
How do fate and fortune differ in their influence on life?
Fate is seen as an unalterable path, whereas fortune can be influenced by decisions and actions.
Is belief in fate deterministic?
Yes, belief in fate is deterministic, implying that events are predestined and unchangeable.
Can fortune be controlled or influenced?
While fortune is inherently unpredictable, people often try to attract good fortune through various means, such as rituals or decisions.
Can fate and fortune coexist?
Yes, many people believe in a combination of fate determining the broader course of events and fortune influencing the day-to-day aspects of life.
What role does luck play in fortune?
Luck is a central element of fortune, determining the variability and unpredictability of outcomes.
How is fortune sought after?
People seek fortune through various means, including hard work, strategic decisions, and sometimes through superstitions or rituals intended to attract good luck.
How does fortune relate to success?
Fortune often relates to the variability of success, which can be influenced by chance as much as by effort and talent.
Can the belief in fate affect one's outlook on life?
Yes, believing in fate can lead to a more philosophical or resigned approach to life's challenges and events.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
