calamity

[kuh-lam-i-tee]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamity¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamity¹

C15: from French calamité, from Latin calamitās; related to Latin incolumis uninjured

Synonym Study

See disaster.

Example Sentences

“Or are people in her profession able to foresee such calamities and avoid them?”

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As we slowly gained some civil rights, it seemed that both hope and calamity walked hand in hand.

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Dramatically, however, “Sirāt” is at once haphazard and pompous, stalling on its central mystery and throwing in a few flashes of distracting calamity.

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“There is going to be a calamity, and whenever there is a calamity, Merrill is there.”

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Her offense was unforgivable: she had saved him from a calamity.

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Related Words

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