How to pronounce fate
Say it like FAYT. Fate is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce fate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Fate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of fate
American and British speakers say fate in essentially the same way: /feɪt/ in the US and /feɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: FAYT.
What does fate mean?
- an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
- the ultimate agency regarded as predetermining the course of events (often personified as a woman)“we are helpless in the face of destiny”
- your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)“whatever my fortune may be”“deserved a better fate”
- decree or designate beforehand“She was destined to become a great pianist”
Where does fate come from?
From Middle English fate, from Latin fāta (“prediction”), plural of fātum, from fātus (“spoken”), from for (“to speak”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with fate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of fate.
Words that sound like fate
Questions about saying fate
How do you pronounce fate?
Say FAYT. The American pronunciation is /feɪt/. In British English it is /feɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in fate?
Fate is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: FAYT.
Do Americans and Brits say fate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /feɪt/ and the British form is /feɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as fate?
Fate sounds the same as fete in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.