Destiny is what someone believes is meant to happen in their future, especially something important or unavoidable. When people talk about destiny, they mean events that feel like they were always going to occur, as if written into the story of their life before they were born.

Some people believe their destiny is fixed, like a path already laid out for them. Others think destiny is more like a direction they're meant to move toward, but they get to choose how to get there. A character in a story might feel it's their destiny to become a great leader, or an athlete might believe they were destined to play their sport.

The word carries a sense of significance and purpose. You probably wouldn't say it's your destiny to eat cereal for breakfast, but you might wonder if it's your destiny to become a scientist, artist, or teacher. When something feels deeply meant to be, people often call it destiny.

Destiny is where someone believes their life is headed, the ultimate destination of their journey. Whether destiny is real or just a way of thinking about life's important moments, the idea has inspired people to work harder, take risks, and believe their efforts matter in the grand scheme of things.