disaster
dih-ZAHS-tuh
Disaster (noun) means a sudden event, natural or man-made, that causes serious damage, loss of life, or destruction. Example: “The earthquake was the worst natural disaster in the country's history.”
noun
1
A sudden event, natural or man-made, that causes serious damage, loss of life, or destruction.
"The earthquake was the worst natural disaster in the country's history."
"Emergency crews were sent to the flood disaster zone."
"Aid workers arrived within hours of the disaster to help the families left without homes."
2
An event or situation that turns out very badly.
"The dinner party was a complete disaster."
"My first attempt at baking bread was a disaster, because I forgot the yeast."
"Losing the keys on the day of the move turned the whole trip into a disaster."
How to use disaster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very bad event — from a real catastrophe like an earthquake to a plan or evening that simply goes horribly wrong.
Common pairings
natural disaster
a complete disaster
disaster relief
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Word forms
- Plural
- disasters
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The earthquake was the worst natural _____ in the country's history.
Etymology
From Middle French desastre, from Italian disastro — literally "ill-starred," from dis- ("bad") + astro ("star"), from Latin astrum.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for disaster
See all rhymes for disaster →Frequently asked questions
What does “disaster” mean?
The word “disaster” means a sudden event, natural or man-made, that causes serious damage, loss of life, or destruction. In plain terms, a very bad event — from a real catastrophe like an earthquake to a plan or evening that simply goes horribly wrong.
How do you pronounce “disaster”?
“Disaster” is pronounced dih-ZAHS-tuh (/dɪˈzɑːs.təː/ in IPA).
How do you use “disaster” in a sentence?
Here is “disaster” used in a sentence: “The earthquake was the worst natural disaster in the country's history.”
What is another word for “disaster”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disaster” include adversity, apocalypse, calamity, catastrophe, misery and qualm.
What part of speech is “disaster”?
“Disaster” is a noun.
Where does the word “disaster” come from?
The word “disaster” comes from Latin. From Middle French desastre, from Italian disastro — literally "ill-starred," from dis- ("bad") + astro ("star"), from Latin astrum.
Is “disaster” a common word?
“Disaster” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “disaster” have?
“Disaster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden event, natural or man-made, that causes serious damage, loss of life, or destruction.
What is the difference between a disaster and a catastrophe?
Both words describe events causing serious damage or destruction, but catastrophe generally suggests a larger scale or more final, sweeping ruin. Disaster is the more common, everyday word and is also used lightly for anything that turns out very badly, as in the dinner party was a disaster.
What counts as a natural disaster?
A natural disaster is a sudden natural event that causes serious damage, loss of life, or destruction. Common examples include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions, as opposed to man-made disasters such as industrial accidents.
What is the difference between disaster and tragedy?
Disaster emphasises the destructive event itself, whether natural or man-made, and the damage it causes. Tragedy emphasises human suffering and grief, so an event involving loss of life may be called both a disaster and a tragedy, while a failed business launch is only a disaster.
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