'fateful' originates from Late Middle English, formed from the noun 'fate' + the suffix '-ful'.

'fate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'fatum', where the root 'fari' meant 'to speak'; Latin 'fatum' passed into Middle English as 'fate' and combined with '-ful' to form 'fateful'.

Initially related to the notion of what is spoken or decreed ('that which has been spoken'), it evolved into meanings tied to destiny and events with decisive consequences; 'fateful' came to mean 'having significant or destiny-driven results'.