catastrophe
kuh-TAST-ruh-fee
Catastrophe (noun) means a sudden, large-scale disaster with severe consequences. Example: “The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.”
noun
1
A sudden, large-scale disaster with severe consequences.
"The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe."
"Losing the harvest would be a catastrophe for the whole village."
"The flood was a catastrophe for the town, and thousands of homes were damaged."
How to use catastrophe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disaster on a major scale, often used for dramatic effect even in everyday speech.
Common pairings
natural catastrophe
avert a catastrophe
on the brink of catastrophe
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Word forms
- Plural
- catastrophes
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Can you complete this real example?
The oil spill was an environmental _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek katastrophe, "an overturning," from kata- ("down") plus strephein ("to turn").
Related words
Rhymes for catastrophe
See all rhymes for catastrophe →Frequently asked questions
What does “catastrophe” mean?
The word “catastrophe” means a sudden, large-scale disaster with severe consequences. In plain terms, a disaster on a major scale, often used for dramatic effect even in everyday speech.
How do you pronounce “catastrophe”?
“Catastrophe” is pronounced kuh-TAST-ruh-fee (/kəˈtæstɹəfi/ in IPA).
How do you use “catastrophe” in a sentence?
Here is “catastrophe” used in a sentence: “The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.”
What part of speech is “catastrophe”?
“Catastrophe” is a noun.
Where does the word “catastrophe” come from?
The word “catastrophe” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek katastrophe, "an overturning," from kata- ("down") plus strephein ("to turn").
Is “catastrophe” a common word?
“Catastrophe” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a catastrophe and a disaster?
A catastrophe is a sudden, large-scale disaster with severe consequences, and in practice the two words are close synonyms, though catastrophe often implies an especially extreme or dramatic outcome. Both describe major destructive events, but catastrophe can carry a stronger sense of finality or severity.
Is catastrophe used for personal problems or only large-scale events?
Catastrophe most naturally describes large-scale disasters with severe consequences, though it is sometimes used hyperbolically for serious personal setbacks, even when the situation is not truly disastrous.
What is a common collocation with catastrophe?
Common phrases include 'natural catastrophe,' 'environmental catastrophe,' and 'avert a catastrophe,' all reflecting its core sense of a sudden, severe disaster.
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