catastrophe
Translation
catastrophe, disaster, calamity
Examples
The earthquake was a terrible catastrophe.
The earthquake was a terrible catastrophe.
Losing his job was a personal catastrophe.
Losing his job was a personal catastrophe.
Grammar Patterns
((a/an/the)) catastrophe A large-scale disaster. The floods were a national catastrophe.
((a/an/the)) catastrophe for (sb./sth.) A disaster for someone/something. The new law was a catastrophe for small businesses.
Similar Words
Synonyms: disaster, calamity, tragedy; Antonyms: triumph, success
Etymology
From Greek 'kata' (down) + 'strophe' (turning). A 'downturn' of events.
Memory Tips
Imagine a CAT knocking over a TROPHY, causing a disaster. (cata-strophe)