catastrophic
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of catastrophic
First recorded in 1820–30; from Greek katastrophikós, equivalent to catastroph(e) ( def. ) + -ic ( def. )
Explanation
Something catastrophic is very harmful or disastrous. When the stock market crashes, it’s a catastrophic event for investors. This is a strong word for terrible, harmful, devastating things. Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis are catastrophic weather events. A depression is catastrophic for the economy. In sports, if the star player is injured, that's catastrophic for the team. If a parent dies, that's catastrophic for a family. Scientists worry that climate change will have a catastrophic effect on the planet. Catastrophic events are severe and horrific. Stubbing your toe isn’t catastrophic: losing your leg in an accident is.
Vocabulary lists containing catastrophic
Break It Down: Cata
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Vocabulary from the Second Presidential Debate: October 9, 2016
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Life As We Knew It
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This hasn’t survived two centuries of bloody revolution, lapsing religious faith and the catastrophic first half of the 20th century.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
Sir Adrian found that "catastrophic" failures by the parents of the killer and various agencies meant clear chances to prevent the attack were missed.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
In La Guaira, the situation is catastrophic, with hundreds sleeping in the streets and others sifting through mountains of rubble day and night, searching for their dead.
From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026
A catastrophic earthquake in 1812, estimated to be a magnitude 7.7, may have killed more than 15,000 people.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026
All signs were consistent with a catastrophic injury to the brain.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
