disaster
n.-
1 a catastrophe (n.) A2 Elementarya sudden event that causes great damage, such as a flood, fire, or earthquake.
a sudden accident or a natural catastrophe that causes great damage or loss of life.
ExampleThe earthquake was a terrible disaster that destroyed many homes in the city.
ExampleThe humanitarian agency provided immediate relief to the victims of the natural disaster, focusing on clean water and temporary shelter.
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2 a total failure (n.) B1 Intermediate Informalsomething that goes very wrong or is a complete failure.
an event or situation that is a complete failure or causes great disappointment.
ExampleThe party was a disaster because nobody showed up and the food was cold.
ExampleThe product launch was a total disaster, as the software crashed repeatedly during the live demonstration in front of the press.
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3 skateboarding trick (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Sporta specific trick where a skater turns 180 degrees and lands the middle of the board on an edge.
a maneuver involving a 180-degree ollie, landing with the center of the deck on the coping of a ramp.
ExampleHe practiced the disaster on the half-pipe until he could land it perfectly.
ExampleThe skater executed a flawless frontside disaster, balancing precariously on the lip before dropping back into the transition.
From Middle French desastre, from Italian disastro, from dis- + astro (“star”), from Latin astrum (“star”), from Ancient Greek ἄστρον (ástron, “star”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr.