Word
disaster
Phoneticsdis·as·ter, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈzæstɝ/
UK/dˌɪsˈɑːstɐ/
Definitions
01a catastrophe
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a sudden event that causes great damage, such as a flood, fire, or earthquake.
n. a sudden accident or a natural catastrophe that causes great damage or loss of life.
日本語:災害※
“The earthquake was a terrible disaster that destroyed many homes in the city.”
“The humanitarian agency provided immediate relief to the victims of the natural disaster, focusing on clean water and temporary shelter.”
Synonyms
02a total failure
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. something that goes very wrong or is a complete failure.
n. an event or situation that is a complete failure or causes great disappointment.
“The party was a disaster because nobody showed up and the food was cold.”
“The product launch was a total disaster, as the software crashed repeatedly during the live demonstration in front of the press.”
03skateboarding trick
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a specific trick where a skater turns 180 degrees and lands the middle of the board on an edge.
n. a maneuver involving a 180-degree ollie, landing with the center of the deck on the coping of a ramp.
“He practiced the disaster on the half-pipe until he could land it perfectly.”
“The skater executed a flawless frontside disaster, balancing precariously on the lip before dropping back into the transition.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “disaster” in context.
Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Idioms
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/disaster
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0