disaster
Translation
disaster, catastrophe
Examples
The earthquake was a terrible disaster.
The earthquake was a terrible disaster.
The party was a complete disaster.
The party was a complete disaster.
Grammar Patterns
a ((natural/environmental etc.)) disaster The earthquake was a terrible disaster.
a ((complete/total)) disaster The party was a complete disaster.
Similar Words
Synonyms: catastrophe, calamity, tragedy; Antonyms: success, triumph, miracle
Etymology
From Old Italian 'disastro', from 'dis-' (bad) + 'astro' (star), meaning an ill-starred event.
Memory Tips
Imagine a 'bad star' (dis-aster) causing a terrible event.