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

At the Journal’s Board of Directors Council in Palm Beach on Monday, Nvidia’s crisis consumed conversations among attendees, many of whom sit on public-company boards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

"After a summit of record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires and school closures, Britain is now facing worsening droughts," the paper says, with the headline declaring: "Climate crisis is here".

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026

Technology analyst Dan Ives, at investment bank Yorkville Ives, said the crisis will at the very least spark multiple congressional inquiries and "create an overhang on the stock for a myriad of reasons".

From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026

He drew on his own experience working as an agent during the financial crisis.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

But we know that once the missile crisis began, the KGB considered it too dangerous to have Penkovsky on the loose.

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

Both governments say their plans for the country were stymied by crises out of their control – such as Covid, the Iran war and US trade antagonism.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026

Kotlikoff, 75, has been at Cornell for over 25 years and has spent much of his two-year presidency battling crises.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Members of poly households who end up hiring lawyers are often looking to protect jointly held assets and ensure they can care for one another in health crises.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

The company has for years been weighed down by a series of crises over the recall of its DreamStation machines for sleep apnoea, a disorder in which breathing stops and starts during sleep.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

But even for those who managed to return and rebuild, life is very different from the way it was before the crises.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---