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.

---

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

---

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

While that worked well initially in 2022, at the time of a minibudget crisis, a string of successive announcements over time had increasingly less impact.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

The protracted crisis in China's real estate market -- long a key driver of national growth -- has heavily impacted the country's economy.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

“It isn’t during this kind of crisis that we change the captain,” said Ramachandran, who specializes in family businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

“The fire issue is an existential crisis for California.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

A little pain sometimes, but nothing too bad until this year when she went into full-on crisis and her body became a blaze.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

Cuba has experienced many crises since then -- sanctions, hurricanes, a pandemic and the collapse of the Soviet bloc.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

The interview offered an unusually personal look at an official better known for managing an increasingly complicated portfolio of international crises and national security issues.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

Spiraling debt crises were forcing West African countries—Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria—to lay off state workers, who struggled to land jobs in the private sector.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

In the past, Berceren writes, heavy government issuance was associated with wars, recessions and financial crises.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

Public shows of resentment pretty much spent themselves over the loyalty oath crises.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Related Words

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