Cool MateFate vs Fortunes
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fate
Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun
Fortunes
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Fate
| Fate | Fortunes | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈfɔːtʃənz//🇺🇸 //ˈfɔr.tʃənz// |
| Meaning | What happens to a person or thing in the future. | Good luck or wealth |
| Example | She believed that her fate was sealed the moment she left her hometown. | He amassed a great fortune through hard work. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | awful, grim, horrible, face, meet, suffer, await somebody/something, be in store for somebody/something, lie in store for somebody/something, leave your fate in somebody’s hands, place your fate in somebody’s hands, put your fate in somebody’s hands, cruel, kind, believe in, tempt, leave something to, decide something, decree something, intervene, an accident of fate, a turn of fate, a twist of fate | make a fortune, change one's fortunes, fortune favors the bold |
| Antonyms | choice, free will, determination | misfortune, poverty |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fate' vs 'destiny' - 'fate' is often considered more fatalistic., Used inappropriately in a non-physical sense, such as 'fate of feelings'., Omitting articles incorrectly, e.g., 'Fate is inevitable' instead of 'The fate is inevitable.' | Confused with 'fortune' (singular) when discussing a single instance., Used incorrectly in plural form when it should be singular., Confused with 'destiny' regarding fate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fate' when discussing destiny or unavoidable events. It's formal enough for serious topics but can also be used casually. Avoid using in overly casual or light conversations. | Use 'fortunes' for both financial situations and general luck. In formal contexts, prefer 'wealth' or 'prosperity'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fate vs Fortunes
What's the difference between Fate and Fortunes?
Fate: What happens to a person or thing in the future. Fortunes: Good luck or wealth
Which is more common: Fate and Fortunes?
Fate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fate: She believed that her fate was sealed the moment she left her hometown. Fortunes: He amassed a great fortune through hard work.
Can I use Fate and Fortunes interchangeably?
Not always. Fate and Fortunes are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.