tragic
TRAD-zhihk
Tragic (adj) means causing great sadness, suffering, or loss. Example: “It is tragic that so many wild animals have lost their homes.”
adj
1
Causing great sadness, suffering, or loss.
"It is tragic that so many wild animals have lost their homes."
"The tragic accident left three people dead."
"It was a tragic end to a promising career."
2
Relating to tragedy as a literary or dramatic form.
"Students studied a tragic play by Shakespeare in English class."
"The film follows the pattern of a classic tragic drama."
"The tragic hero is doomed by his own pride."
How to use tragic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply sad, or connected to tragedy as an art form.
Common pairings
tragic death
tragic hero
tragic accident
tragic loss
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Word forms
- Plural
- tragics
- Comparative
- more tragic
- Superlative
- most tragic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It is _____ that so many wild animals have lost their homes.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek tragikós ("of tragedy"), from trágos ("goat"), tied to the same obscure goat-related origin as "tragedy."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for tragic
See all rhymes for tragic →Frequently asked questions
What does “tragic” mean?
The word “tragic” means causing great sadness, suffering, or loss. In plain terms, deeply sad, or connected to tragedy as an art form.
How do you pronounce “tragic”?
“Tragic” is pronounced TRAD-zhihk (/ˈtɹæd͡ʒɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “tragic” in a sentence?
Here is “tragic” used in a sentence: “The tragic accident left three people dead.”
What part of speech is “tragic”?
“Tragic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tragic” come from?
The word “tragic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek tragikós ("of tragedy"), from trágos ("goat"), tied to the same obscure goat-related origin as "tragedy.".
Is “tragic” a common word?
“Tragic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tragic” have?
“Tragic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing great sadness, suffering, or loss.
What is the difference between "tragic" and "sad"?
"Tragic" is far stronger than "sad": it describes events causing great suffering, loss, or death, such as a tragic accident. "Sad" covers any degree of unhappiness, from minor disappointments upward, so calling something tragic signals serious or devastating loss.
What is a tragic hero?
In literature, a tragic hero is the central character of a tragedy whose downfall, usually brought about by a personal weakness or an error of judgment, forms the heart of the drama. The term belongs to tragedy as a literary and dramatic form.
What is the difference between "tragic" and "tragical"?
"Tragic" is the standard modern adjective; "tragical" is an archaic variant that survives mainly in older literature. In contemporary writing, use "tragic" in every context.
What is a tragic flaw?
A tragic flaw is the weakness of character or error of judgment that leads to a tragic hero's downfall — pride is a classic example. The concept comes from the study of tragedy as a dramatic form, where it is also known by the Greek term "hamartia".
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