Calamity: meaning, definitions and examples
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calamity
[ kəˈlæmɪti ]
natural disaster
An event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.
Synonyms
cataclysm, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy
Examples of usage
- The earthquake was a calamity that destroyed the entire city.
- The tsunami brought about a calamity of massive proportions.
extreme misfortune
An event causing extreme distress or misfortune; a great misfortune or disaster.
Synonyms
adversity, difficulty, misfortune, mishap
Examples of usage
- Losing his job was a calamity for him and his family.
- The unexpected illness was a calamity that they never saw coming.
Translations
Translations of the word "calamity" in other languages:
🇵🇹 calamidade
🇮🇳 आपदा
🇩🇪 Katastrophe
🇮🇩 malapetaka
🇺🇦 лихо
🇵🇱 klęska
🇯🇵 災難 (sainan)
🇫🇷 calamité
🇪🇸 calamidad
🇹🇷 felaket
🇰🇷 재앙 (jaeang)
🇸🇦 كارثة
🇨🇿 neštěstí
🇸🇰 pohroma
🇨🇳 灾难 (zāinàn)
🇸🇮 nesreča
🇮🇸 ógæfa
🇰🇿 апат
🇬🇪 უბედურება
🇦🇿 fəlakət
🇲🇽 calamidad
Word origin
The word 'calamity' originated from the Latin word 'calamitas', meaning 'damage, loss, disaster'. Over time, it came to be used in English to refer to any event causing great damage or distress. The concept of calamity has been present throughout human history, with various cultures experiencing natural disasters and other calamities. The word serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and often devastating nature of life.