Cool MateCalamity
UK //kəˈlæmɪti//US //kəˈlæməti//
Definition
An event causing great damage or distress.
In simple words: A serious event that causes damage or suffering.
Examples
- The earthquake was a calamity that affected thousands of people.
- Their financial issues turned into a calamity for the whole family.
- She described the storm as a calamity that would take years to recover from.
- The oil spill was an environmental calamity that sparked outrage.
- He warned that ignoring warning signs could lead to a calamity in the future.
Usage notes
Used in neutral contexts. Common in news articles and discussions about disasters. Not used in casual conversations.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'calamity' as a 'calamity of events' - remember a major disaster.
Collocations
- natural calamity
- personal calamity
- public calamity
Synonyms
- disaster
- catastrophe
- tragedy
- calamity
- mishap
Antonyms
- blessing
- fortune
- advantage
Common mistakes
- Confusing with 'calamity' vs 'calamities' (plural form)
- Using in incorrect contexts, like a minor inconvenience
- Spelling errors, such as 'calamity' as 'calamitye'