crisis

American  

[krahy-sis] / ˈkraɪ sɪs /

noun

• crises
  plural

1. a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point.

2. a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change.

3. a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.

4. Medicine/Medical.

   1. the point in the course of a serious disease at which a decisive change occurs, leading either to recovery or to death.

   2. the change itself.

5. the point in a play or story at which hostile elements are most tensely opposed to each other.

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adjective

1. of, referring to, or for use in dealing with a crisis.

crisis British  

/ ˈkraɪsɪs /

noun

1. a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something, esp in a sequence of events or a disease

2. an unstable period, esp one of extreme trouble or danger in politics, economics, etc

3. pathol a sudden change, for better or worse, in the course of a disease

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Usage

Plural word for crisis The plural form of crisis is crises, pronounced [ krahy-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -sis are also formed in the same way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, analysis/analyses, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like crises derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek. Do you know: What is the plural of thesis?

Synonym Usage

See emergency.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• crisic
  adjective
• postcrisis
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crises
  plural

Etymology

Origin of crisis

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin crisis “(medical) crisis,” from Greek krísis “decision, interpretation,” equivalent to kri- variant stem of krīnein “to decide, separate, judge” + -sis -sis

Explanation

A crisis is a difficult or dangerous time in which a solution is needed — and quickly. For example, the crisis caused by a natural disaster might inspire you and your friends to make a donation. The noun crisis comes from the Latinized form of the Greek word krisis, meaning "turning point in a disease." At such a moment, the person with the disease could get better or worse: it's a critical moment. Think of a celebrity whose recent antics generate headlines like "Rock Star in Crisis" — that person needs help that may or may not be sought. At the moment of crisis, things are unstable and maybe even dangerous.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crisis crises

Even in such a high-stress moment, the open road continues to draw newcomers who see opportunity where veterans see a crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

October 2008 was bad too, as stocks sank during the most acute phase of a historic global financial crisis.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 4, 2026

“We’ve gone from zero to crisis in five years,” he said as he stalked his prey.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

Bardella's defiance indicated that he hopes to ride out the crisis, with his future depending on whether Mediapart has more allegations in the pipeline and above all, Le Pen herself.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

In 2012, fifty years after the Cuban missile crisis, Vasili’s wife proudly told his story in a documentary titled, fittingly, The Man Who Saved the World.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

I only posit that it’s important to understand art — especially contentious art about pertinent crises — on a cellular level to learn what it, and our responses to it, can teach us.

From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2026

Raman contends that Bass is simply a bad manager, pointing to those crises and other problems facing the city.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Madrid is expected to provide an update on the situation in its northern African territory, with discussions also to focus on proposals to prevent and manage similar crises in the future.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

A 2024 national agreement on the policy, external said people experiencing mental health crises should not be left without support.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

Then, in the remaining hours of the night, he would form plans for meeting the crises he had dreamed of.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Related Words

• catastrophe
• change
• confrontation
• crunch
• deadlock
• dilemma
• disaster
• emergency
• impasse
• mess
• pressure
• situation
• trouble