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noun Uncommon

fiasco

fee-AS-koh

Fiasco (noun) means a complete and often embarrassing failure. Example: “The product launch turned into a total fiasco when the servers crashed.”

noun
1
A complete and often embarrassing failure.
"The product launch turned into a total fiasco when the servers crashed."
"Their first attempt at hosting the event was a fiasco from start to finish."

How to use fiasco

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA total, often humiliating flop.

Common pairings
a total fiasco end in fiasco

Word forms

fiascos plural, fiascoes plural, fiaschi plural, fiasci plural

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Test yourself on “fiasco” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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The product launch turned into a total _____ when the servers crashed.

Etymology

From Italian fiasco ("bottle, flask"), via the theatrical phrase far fiasco ("to make a bottle"), meaning to flop on stage — the exact origin of the failure sense is debated.

Origin: Italian

Related words

Rhymes for fiasco

See all rhymes for fiasco →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fiasco” mean?

The word “fiasco” means a complete and often embarrassing failure. In plain terms, a total, often humiliating flop.

How do you pronounce “fiasco”?

“Fiasco” is pronounced fee-AS-koh (/fiˈæs.koʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fiasco” in a sentence?

Here is “fiasco” used in a sentence: “The product launch turned into a total fiasco when the servers crashed.”

What part of speech is “fiasco”?

“Fiasco” is a noun.

Where does the word “fiasco” come from?

The word “fiasco” comes from Italian. From Italian fiasco ("bottle, flask"), via the theatrical phrase far fiasco ("to make a bottle"), meaning to flop on stage — the exact origin of the failure sense is debated.

Is “fiasco” a common word?

“Fiasco” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial