Fateful/ˈfeɪtfl/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Negative Outcome Often suggests bad results are likely or have occurred after an action or decision. His fateful mistake cost the company millions. Pro Tip 2/3Dramatic Tone Used to add drama or significance to an event that changes a situation drastically. The game reached its fateful conclusion in the last second. Pro Tip 3/3Serious Consequences Implies that the consequences are serious and will have a lasting impact. A fateful encounter that changed the course of history.