calamity
kuh-LA-mih-tee
Calamity (noun) means a serious event that causes great damage, suffering, or loss. Example: “The flood was the worst calamity the town had seen in decades.”
noun
1
A serious event that causes great damage, suffering, or loss.
"The flood was the worst calamity the town had seen in decades."
"Losing both his job and his home in the same month felt like one long calamity."
How to use calamity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disaster or major misfortune, often on a large scale.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "calumny," which means a false, damaging statement about someone.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a calamity struck
natural calamity
sheer calamity
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Word forms
- Plural
- calamities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The flood was the worst _____ the town had seen in decades.
Etymology
From Latin calamitas, meaning "damage" or "disaster."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for calamity
See all rhymes for calamity →Frequently asked questions
What does “calamity” mean?
The word “calamity” means a serious event that causes great damage, suffering, or loss. In plain terms, a disaster or major misfortune, often on a large scale.
How do you pronounce “calamity”?
“Calamity” is pronounced kuh-LA-mih-tee (/kəˈlæmɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “calamity” in a sentence?
Here is “calamity” used in a sentence: “The flood was the worst calamity the town had seen in decades.”
What part of speech is “calamity”?
“Calamity” is a noun.
Where does the word “calamity” come from?
The word “calamity” comes from Latin. From Latin calamitas, meaning "damage" or "disaster.".
Is “calamity” a common word?
“Calamity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
