catastrophe
English meaning: Catastrophe
Definition
Any large and disastrous event of great significance
Example
“The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe for the entire coastline.”
Another example: “Forgetting the passports turned the holiday into a minor catastrophe.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A common, somewhat formal noun for a sudden disaster causing great damage or suffering; also a dramatic theatrical term (the final turning point of a plot). Used in news, insurance and everyday hyperbole ('the dinner was a catastrophe').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Greek 'katastrophe' (an overturning, sudden turn), from 'kata-' (down) + 'strephein' (to turn); in English from the 16th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- natural catastrophe
- environmental catastrophe
- avert a catastrophe
- humanitarian catastrophe
- total catastrophe
- catastrophe insurance
Word Forms
catastrophe (n); catastrophes (pl); catastrophic (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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