disaster

di-sas-ter · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A sudden event causing great damage, destruction, or suffering.

  2. 2.

    A complete failure.

  3. 3.

    A person or thing that is very unsuccessful.

Forms

plural: disasters

Related words

Antonyms: blessing, success, triumph
See also: catastrophe, crisis, disasters, emergency
Synonyms: calamity, catastrophe, crisis, tragedy

Etymology

From Italian disastro meaning "ill-starred event," from dis- meaning "away, without" + astro meaning "star," from Latin astrum. The word reflects the ancient belief that disasters were caused by unfavorable positions of stars.