Kismet Meaning and Definition
Kismet
Pronunciation
/ˈkɪzmat/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A concept in existentialism and philosophy that everything that happens is the result of predestination and is inevitable, without any free will or choices.
Examples
- She believed in fate and thought that her destiny was to be with him.
- In Fatalism, the concept of Kismet is used to illustrate the idea that everything is predestined.
- According to the ancient Mesopotamian mythology, the gods controlled the Kismet of humans, deciding their fate.
Synonyms
- Fate
- Destiny
- Predestination
Etymology
The word “Kismet” comes from the Turkish word “kîsmet”, meaning “destiny” or “fate”, which is derived from the Persian word “heimat”, meaning “lot” or “portion” and the Arabic word “kismat”, meaning “fate” or “destiny”.
Usage Notes
In philosophical and literary contexts, Kismet is often used to describe the idea that events are predetermined and inevitable.
Cultural References
Kismet has appeared in various forms of art and literature, including the 1911 Broadway musical “Kismet”, which is a retelling of an ancient Turkish fairy tale.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“It was Kismet” – a phrase used to describe an event that was inevitable or predestined.
Related Words or Phrases
Fate, Destiny, Predestination, Fatalism
Collocations
Kismet with words like “fate”, “destiny”, “predestination”, “fatalism”, and “inexorable” to describe the idea that events are predetermined.
Frequency of Use
The word “Kismet” is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but it is frequently used in literary and philosophical contexts to describe the idea of predestination.
Common Misspellings
Gerbera, Kistim, Kismit, Kismet