calamity

American  

[kuh-lam-i-tee] / kəˈlæm ɪ ti /

noun

plural

calamities

1. a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury.

   Synonyms:

   mishap, mischance, cataclysm, catastrophe, blow, reverse

2. grievous affliction; adversity; misery.

   the calamity of war.

---

calamity British  

/ kəˈlæmɪtɪ /

noun

1. a disaster or misfortune, esp one causing extreme havoc, distress, or misery

2. a state or feeling of deep distress or misery

---

Related Words

See disaster.

Etymology

Origin of calamity

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English calamite, from Middle French, from Latin calamitāt-, stem of calamitās (also kadamitas ) “crop failure, disaster,” of disputed origin; often considered to be derived from calam(us) “cane, reed” + -itās -ity ( def. ), but perhaps instead akin to columus “safe,” incolumitās “safety”

Example Sentences

Everywhere, it seems, Christmas keeps close company with calamity.

From The Wall Street Journal

To underline the obvious once more: The college football media ecosystem is not built to handle human calamities like this.

From The Wall Street Journal

Others tell stories about the race to avert calamity.

From Los Angeles Times

As we wrote at the time, the project is a calamity waiting to happen.

From The Wall Street Journal

They materialize in the kitchen year after year, radiating earnest goodwill, and yet somehow leave a trail of small calamities in their wake.

From Salon

Related Words

• adversity
• cataclysm
• catastrophe
• collapse
• hardship
• misfortune
• mishap
• scourge
• woe