noun
tragedy
TRAD-zheh-dee
noun
1
A serious play or story in which the main character comes to ruin, often through a personal flaw or fate.
"Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is one of the greatest tragedies in English literature."
2
A disastrous event, especially one causing great suffering or loss of life.
"The plane crash was a tragedy that shook the whole town."
"It would be a tragedy to lose such a historic building to fire."
How to Use Tragedy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a serious dramatic work ending badly, or a real event that causes great sadness or loss.
Common pairings
a personal tragedy
Greek tragedy
tragedy struck
family tragedy
Word Forms
tragedies plural
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The plane crash was a _____ that shook the whole town.
Etymology
From Old French tragedie, from Latin tragoedia, from Ancient Greek tragōidía, literally "goat-song" — likely a reference to the goat-costumed performers in early Greek drama, though the exact link is debated.