tragedy

[ traj-i-dee ]

noun

, plural trag·e·dies.

1. a lamentable, dreadful, or fatal event or affair; calamity; disaster:

   stunned by the tragedy of so many deaths.

2. a dramatic composition, often in verse, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically involving a great person destined to experience downfall or utter destruction, as through a character flaw or conflict with some overpowering force, as fate or an unyielding society.
3. the branch of the drama that is concerned with this form of composition.
4. the art and theory of writing and producing tragedies.
5. any literary composition, as a novel, dealing with a somber theme carried to a tragic or disastrous conclusion.
6. the tragic or mournful or calamitous element of drama, of literature generally, or of life.

tragedy

/ ˈtrædʒɪdɪ /

noun

1. (esp in classical and Renaissance drama) a play in which the protagonist, usually a man of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he cannot deal
2. (in later drama, such as that of Ibsen) a play in which the protagonist is overcome by a combination of social and psychological circumstances
3. any dramatic or literary composition dealing with serious or sombre themes and ending with disaster
4. (in medieval literature) a literary work in which a great person falls from prosperity to disaster, often through no fault of his own
5. the branch of drama dealing with such themes
6. the unfortunate aspect of something
7. a shocking or sad event; disaster

tragedy

1. A serious drama in which a central character , the protagonist — usually an important, heroic person — meets with disaster either through some personal fault or through unavoidable circumstances. In most cases, the protagonist's downfall conveys a sense of human dignity in the face of great conflict. Tragedy originated in ancient Greece in the works of Aeschylus , Sophocles , and Euripides . In modern times, it achieved excellence with William Shakespeare in such works as Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and Othello. Twentieth-century tragedies include Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, and Murder in the Cathedral , by T. S. Eliot .

Notes

In common usage, disasters of many kinds are called tragedies.

Aristotle argued that the proper effect of tragedy is catharsis — the purging of the emotions.

Other Words From

• non·trage·dy noun plural nontragedies
• pro·trage·dy adjective
• super·trage·dy noun plural supertragedies

Word History and Origins

Origin of tragedy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tragedie, from Medieval Latin tragēdia, Latin tragoedia, from Greek tragōidía, from trág(os) “goat” + ōid(ḗ) “song” ( ode ) + -ia -y ³; reason for name variously explained

Word History and Origins

Origin of tragedy¹

C14: from Old French tragédie , from Latin tragoedia , from Greek tragōidia , from tragos goat + ōidē song; perhaps a reference to the goat-satyrs of Peloponnesian plays

Example Sentences

Right now we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons.

From Washington Blade

The skit compares the Death Star’s destruction to the heinous tragedy that befell America nineteen years ago.

From Fortune

The video of Jacob Blake’s shooting feels like a repeat of the same kind of tragedy, showing an officer repeatedly shooting Blake in the back.

From Vox

The pandemic has been an unprecedented event on a truly planetary scale, one that has sadly given people all over the world a unifying human experience through tragedy.

From Quanta Magazine

The past few months have taught us once again that the greatest tragedies in the world do not affect everyone equally.

From Quartz

When twelve people are killed by violence, whoever they are, for whatever reason, that is a tragedy and a waste.

From The Daily Beast

It generates tragedy, violence, and a windfall for undertakers.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, publicizing tragedy gets clicks, gets ad revenue, gets notoriety, and can be done for all the wrong reasons.

From The Daily Beast

Does the sending of the message “justify” the tragedy that caused it?

From The Daily Beast

The fate of AirAsia Flight 8501 and the 162 souls on board is a tragedy, but it will not remain a mystery for much longer.

From The Daily Beast

Several pioneers familiar with the facts of the tragedy at the time of its occurrence were also present.

From Project Gutenberg

Happening to walk down the Rue Saint Honoré, he had come upon tragedy.

From Project Gutenberg

A heaviness as of unguessed tragedy lay upon all three, not only upon Tom.

From Project Gutenberg

She had seen little of the tragedy enacted in Meerut; she knew less of its real horrors.

From Project Gutenberg

She produced the tragedy of Agnes de Castro in her 17th year, which was followed by several others.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adversity
• calamity
• catastrophe
• failure
• hardship
• humiliation
• misfortune
• mishap
• shock
• struggle
• woe
• wreck