Catastrophe - English meaning

noun

An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.

Usage examples:

He had an accident at the factory

noun

An event not intended by anyone but which has the result of injuring someone or damaging something

Usage examples:

He was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 21., it’s no accident that (= there are reaso…

noun

A difficult or unpleasant situation.

Usage examples:

Resilience in the face of adversity

noun

A difficult or unlucky situation or event

Usage examples:

[ u ] she’s cheerful in the face of adversity.

noun

A plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts.

Usage examples:

The vines suffered blight and disease

verb

Have a severely detrimental effect on.

Usage examples:

The scandal blighted the careers of several leading politicians

noun

Something that spoils or destroys or causes damage

Usage examples:

[ u ] the city stopped urban blight by rebuilding neighborhoods., poverty and disease blighted thei…

verb

(of wind) move creating an air current.

Usage examples:

A cold breeze was blowing in off the sea

noun

A strong wind.

Usage examples:

We're in for a bit of a blow

noun

A powerful stroke with a hand, weapon, or hard object.

Usage examples:

He received a blow to the skull

noun

An event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.

Usage examples:

Emergency measures may be necessary in order to avert a calamity

noun

An event that causes much suffering to many people

Usage examples:

The factory closings were a calamity for the whole city.

noun

A large-scale and violent event in the natural world.

Usage examples:

The cataclysm at the end of the cretaceous period

noun

An extremely destructive event or violent change

Usage examples:

Environmental/natural cataclysms, the city has just experienced a cataclysmic flood.

noun

A time of intense difficulty or danger.

Usage examples:

The current economic crisis

noun

An extremely dangerous or difficult situation

Usage examples:

[ c ] an economic crisis, [ u ] people react in times of crisis, but ignore us the rest of the time.

noun

A situation that is extremely difficult or dangerous, when there are many problems

Usage examples:

A major/serious/global crisis, an economic/financial/political crisis, a looming/impending/growing …

noun

A sudden accident or a natural catastrophe that causes great damage or loss of life.

Usage examples:

159 people died in the disaster

noun

An event causing great harm, damage, or suffering

Usage examples:

[ c/u ] financial disaster, [ u ] disaster aid/relief, [ c ] over 100 people died in the disaster.,…

noun

A sudden event that causes a lot of damage, such as a very bad fire, storm, or accident

Usage examples:

Insurance companies often charge extra to cover floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters., m…

noun

Lack of success.

Usage examples:

An economic policy that is doomed to failure

noun

Destruction or slaughter on a mass scale, especially caused by fire or nuclear war.

Usage examples:

A nuclear holocaust

noun

Death caused by a person accidentally while performing a legal act without negligence or intent to harm.

Usage examples:

The coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure

noun

Bad luck, or an experience with a bad result

noun

Bad luck.

Usage examples:

By pure mischance the secret was revealed

noun

Bad luck.

Usage examples:

The project was dogged by misfortune

noun

Bad luck, or an unlucky event

Usage examples:

[ c ] never take delight in someone’s personal misfortunes., [ u ] the school nurse was as mean a l…

noun

An unlucky accident.

Usage examples:

Although there were a few minor mishaps, none of the pancakes stuck to the ceiling

noun

An accident or unlucky event

Usage examples:

[ u ] the parade took place without mishap.

verb

Move backwards.

Usage examples:

The lorry reversed into the back of a bus

adjective

Going in or turned towards the direction opposite to that previously stated.

Usage examples:

The trend appears to be going in the reverse direction

noun

A complete change of direction or action.

Usage examples:

The gall actuates a reverse of photosynthesis

noun

The physical destruction or disintegration of something or the state of disintegrating or being destroyed.

Usage examples:

A large white house falling into gentle ruin

verb

Reduce (a building or place) to a state of decay, collapse, or disintegration.

Usage examples:

The castle was ruined when dynamite was used to demolish one of the corner towers

verb

To spoil or destroy something

Usage examples:

It would be a shame to ruin such a beautiful place., that guy isn’t going to ruin my life.

noun

The action or fact of ruining someone or something or of being ruined.

Usage examples:

Commercial malpractice causes the ruination of thousands of people

noun

Destruction

Usage examples:

Alcohol was the ruination of him.

noun

A sudden upsetting or surprising event or experience.

Usage examples:

It was a shock to face such hostile attitudes

verb

Short for shock absorber.

verb

Arrange (sheaves of grain) in a shock.

Usage examples:

The grain is shocked in the field after it is cut

noun

An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe.

Usage examples:

A tragedy that killed 95 people

noun

A very sad event or situation, esp. one involving death or suffering

Usage examples:

[ u ] his reckless driving was bound to end in tragedy., [ c ] it’s a tragedy (that) so many childr…

noun

A formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.

Usage examples:

The newspaper accounts of the trial

verb

Test (something, especially a new product) to assess its suitability or performance.

Usage examples:

Teachers all over the uk are trialling the materials

noun

The examination in a court of law of the facts of a case to decide whether a person is guilty of a crime or responsible for an injury to another person

Usage examples:

[ c ] a criminal/civil trial, [ u ] the case will soon go to trial (= begin)., [ u ] she must still…

noun

A cause of great trouble or suffering.

Usage examples:

The tribulations of being a megastar

noun

Difficulty or problems.

Usage examples:

I had trouble finding somewhere to park

verb

Cause distress or anxiety to.

Usage examples:

He was not troubled by doubts

noun

A problem, or difficulties

Usage examples:

[ u ] trouble began when he came to live with us., [ c ] she thought her troubles would be over whe…

noun

Great sorrow or distress (often used hyperbolically).

Usage examples:

The everton tale of woe continued