Word
calamity
Phoneticscalami·ty
US/kəˈɫæməti/
UK/kɐlˈæmɪti/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a terrible event that causes a lot of damage or suffering. You use this word for serious disasters like a flood or a sudden personal tragedy.
n. an event resulting in great loss, distress, or misfortune. Often implies a sudden and catastrophic change in circumstances.
Examples
“The earthquake was a calamity for the small island nation.”
“The sudden collapse of the bridge was a calamity that the local government struggled to manage.”
“Historians argue that the sudden death of the heir was a national calamity that plunged the kingdom into decades of civil unrest and economic decline.”
Examples
simple
“The earthquake was a calamity for the small island nation.”
contextual
“The sudden collapse of the bridge was a calamity that the local government struggled to manage.”
complex
“Historians argue that the sudden death of the heir was a national calamity that plunged the kingdom into decades of civil unrest and economic decline.”
Usage
Often used in the singular with the indefinite article ('a calamity') or as an uncountable concept in literary contexts.
Real-World Examples
“David Shoebridge, the Greens’ spokesperson on foreign affairs, told RN Breakfast earlier the Australian commitment of $5m for affected communities in Nepal “won’t come close to touching the sides” of the calamity.” “Amy Milburn’s production heightens the calamities sufficiently so a simple act like fetching the inspector (James Watterson) a glass of water becomes a feat of physical comedy.” Etymology
From Middle French calamité, from Latin calamitās (“loss, damage; disaster”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/calamity