noun
cataclysm
KA-tuh-klihzm
Cataclysm (noun) means a sudden, violent event causing widespread destruction or upheaval. Example: “The war was described as a cataclysm that reshaped the region for generations.”
noun
1
A sudden, violent event causing widespread destruction or upheaval.
"The war was described as a cataclysm that reshaped the region for generations."
"Scientists warned that the asteroid impact would be a global cataclysm."
How to use cataclysm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disaster on a massive scale, often one that changes everything afterward.
Common pairings
a global cataclysm
economic cataclysm
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Word forms
- Plural
- cataclysms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The war was described as a _____ that reshaped the region for generations.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek kataklysmos, "deluge, flood," from kata- ("down") plus klyzein ("to wash over").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “cataclysm” mean?
The word “cataclysm” means a sudden, violent event causing widespread destruction or upheaval. In plain terms, a disaster on a massive scale, often one that changes everything afterward.
How do you pronounce “cataclysm”?
“Cataclysm” is pronounced KA-tuh-klihzm (/ˈkætəˌklɪzm̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “cataclysm” in a sentence?
Here is “cataclysm” used in a sentence: “The war was described as a cataclysm that reshaped the region for generations.”
What part of speech is “cataclysm”?
“Cataclysm” is a noun.
Where does the word “cataclysm” come from?
The word “cataclysm” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek kataklysmos, "deluge, flood," from kata- ("down") plus klyzein ("to wash over").
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