catastrophe

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
  2. noun a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
  3. noun a sudden violent change in the earth's surface

Etymology

From Ancient Greek καταστροφή (katastrophḗ), from καταστρέφω (katastréphō, “to overturn”), from κατά (katá, “down, against”) + στρέφω (stréphō, “to turn”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

calamity, disaster, tragedy, cataclysm

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