noun

apocalypse

uh-PO-kuh-lihps

noun

A massive, catastrophic event causing widespread destruction; the end of the world.

"The film imagines an apocalypse triggered by runaway artificial intelligence."

"Survivalists prepare supplies in case of some future apocalypse."

(capitalized, Apocalypse) The Book of Revelation in the Bible, describing the end times.

"Scholars debate how literally to read the Apocalypse."

How to Use Apocalypse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA world-ending or civilization-ending disaster — or, originally, a religious revelation of hidden truths.

Common pairings

zombie apocalypse nuclear apocalypse bring about an apocalypse

Word Forms

apocalypsed past tense, apocalypses plural, Apocalypses plural, apocalypses singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

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

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The film imagines an _____ triggered by runaway artificial intelligence.

Etymology

From Greek apokalypsis, "an uncovering or revelation," from apo- ("away") plus kalyptein ("to cover"). Its "end of the world" sense comes from the Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse.