foreordain: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Formal/Literary/Religious)Formal, Literary, Theological. Rare in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “foreordain” mean?
To decide or determine something (especially a future event or outcome) in advance, often by divine will or destiny.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To decide or determine something (especially a future event or outcome) in advance, often by divine will or destiny.
To predestine; to decree or ordain beforehand. Implies an inevitable, unchangeable fate or outcome set by a higher power or by the inherent nature of things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or frequency. Slightly more common in American religious discourse.
Connotations
Equally formal and elevated in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally rare in general use for both.
Grammar
How to Use “foreordain” in a Sentence
[God/Fate] foreordains [something][Something] is foreordained (by [God/Fate])[Something] is foreordained to [verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foreordain” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council's doctrine held that God had foreordained the salvation of the elect.
- It seemed their meeting was foreordained by a twist of fate.
American English
- Theologians debated whether a loving God would foreordain such suffering.
- The conspiracy theorist believed a secret society foreordained all major world events.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. Might appear in hyperbolic language about an 'inevitable' market result.
Academic
Used in theology, philosophy (determinism), and literary criticism discussing fate in narratives.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound pretentious or deliberately archaic.
Technical
Theological term in discussions of predestination and divine sovereignty.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foreordain”
- Using it for simple planning ('I foreordained a meeting for Tuesday' - incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'foresee'.
- Using it in an informal context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. To predict is to say what you think *will* happen. To foreordain is to cause or decree what *must* happen in advance.
Yes, but it remains formal and literary. It can be used metaphorically for fate, destiny, or any seemingly inevitable, predetermined sequence (e.g., 'a foreordained conclusion to the political scandal').
They are virtually synonymous. 'Foreordain' is slightly more common in theological contexts, while 'preordain' is perhaps more general, but the distinction is minimal.
No. It is a low-frequency, formal word primarily encountered in religious, philosophical, or literary texts.
To decide or determine something (especially a future event or outcome) in advance, often by divine will or destiny.
Foreordain is usually formal, literary, theological. rare in casual conversation. in register.
Foreordain: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːr.ɔːˈdeɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːr.ɔːrˈdeɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “foreordained from the foundation of the world”
- “a foreordained conclusion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FORE (before) + ORDAIN (to order or decree officially). A decree made BEFORE the events.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A SCRIPTED PLAY (written in advance by a divine author).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'foreordain' most correctly?