noun
lot
A person's circumstances or fate in life.
She works hard to improve her family's lot.
Etymology
Lots were objects used to assign shares or make decisions by chance. A person’s lot became an assigned share of circumstances, and hence that person’s fate.
More examples
- He accepted his lot without complaint.
- Their lot was a difficult one.
- The program improved the workers' lot.
Forms
lot · lots
Similar words
- fate
- Emphasizes outcomes beyond a person's control.