Catastrophe: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：sudden disaster (catastrophe)

catastrophe 🔊

/kəˈtæstrəfi/

A very big, sudden, and terrible event that causes a lot of damage and suffering.

Catastrophe definition illustrated by a scene of urban destruction after a major earthquake.

sudden disaster 🔊

➕

/ˈsʌdn̩ dɪˈzɑːstə(ɹ)/

Refers to a sudden and immense disastrous event, typically causing widespread devastation, suffering, or failure.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'kata-' (down) + 'strophē' (a turning). Originally 'a sudden turn'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a cat (ca-) causing an astronomical (-astro) fee (-phe) in damages—a sudden disaster.

📖 Example

The earthquake was a complete catastrophe, leaving the city in ruins and thousands without homes. 🔊 The earthquake was a complete sudden disaster, leaving the city in ruins and thousands without homes.

🔗 Collocations

unmitigated catastrophe – a complete and total disaster with no redeeming features

financial catastrophe – a disastrous economic event or situation

nuclear catastrophe – a disastrous event involving nuclear material or reactors

🔄 Synonyms

disaster (n.) – An event causing great damage, hardship, or loss of life.

calamity (n.) – An event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.

tragedy (n.) – An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident or crime.

🚫 Antonyms

triumph (n.) – A great victory or achievement; the opposite of a failure or disaster.

blessing (n.) – A beneficial thing for which one is grateful; something that promotes well-being.

miracle (n.) – A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be divine.

🌱 Derivatives

catastrophic (adj.) – Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from the Greek 'katastrophē', meaning a 'sudden turn' or 'overturning', it was a term used in classical drama for the final resolution or turn of events. This evolved to signify a disastrous conclusion, reflecting its modern meaning of a sudden, large-scale misfortune.