Catastrophe

Pronunciation: /kəˈtæstrəfi/

Definitions of catastrophe

noun an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering

Example Sentences

A1 The party was a catastrophe because the cake fell on the floor.

A2 The storm caused a catastrophe in the small town, destroying many homes.

B1 The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe, affecting marine life for years to come.

B2 The financial crisis of 2008 was a global catastrophe, leading to widespread unemployment and economic downturn.

C1 The nuclear meltdown was a catastrophic event that had long-lasting effects on the environment and human health.

C2 The asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs was a catastrophic event that changed the course of evolution on Earth.

Examples of catastrophe in a Sentence

formal The earthquake was a catastrophic event that caused widespread destruction.

informal The party was a total catastrophe, nothing went as planned.

slang The concert was a total disaster, it was a real catastrophe.

figurative Losing my phone would be a catastrophe, I have all my important information on it.

Grammatical Forms of catastrophe

• past tense: catastrophized
• plural: catastrophes
• comparative: more catastrophic
• superlative: most catastrophic
• present tense: catastrophes
• future tense: will catastrophize
• perfect tense: have catastrophized
• continuous tense: catastrophizing
• singular: catastrophe
• positive degree: catastrophic
• infinitive: to catastrophize
• gerund: catastrophizing
• participle: catastrophized

Origin and Evolution of catastrophe

First Known Use: 1567 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'catastrophe' originated from the Greek word 'katastrophē', which means 'overturning' or 'sudden turn'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in the context of a sudden and disastrous event, the word 'catastrophe' has evolved to encompass any major disaster or misfortune. It is now commonly used to describe a tragic event or a complete failure.