Word
disastrous
Phoneticsdis·as·trous, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈzæstɹəs/
UK/dˌɪsˈæstɹəs/
Definitions
01catastrophic or failing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. causing great damage, harm, or very bad results.
adj. resulting in a disaster; characterized by catastrophic failure or significant negative consequences.
日本語:悲惨※
“The heavy rain had a disastrous effect on the outdoor concert.”
“The company's decision to ignore the market warnings proved disastrous, leading to a total collapse of their share price within months.”
Pitfall
The weather was disaster for our trip.
The weather was disastrous for our trip.
Use the adjective 'disastrous' to describe a noun, rather than the noun 'disaster'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02unlucky or ill-omened
C2 · Proficiency Literary
adj. suggesting that something very bad is going to happen.
adj. portending or foreboding disaster; having the character of an ill omen.
“The dark clouds felt like a disastrous sign before the long journey.”
“In the opening scene of the play, the disastrous alignment of the stars serves as a warning of the tragedy to come.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “disastrous” in context.
Verb
01. have a disastrous impact
“The prolonged drought had a disastrous impact on the region's agricultural output.”
verb + adj + noun
02. prove disastrous
“The new marketing strategy proved disastrous, leading to a fifty percent drop in sales.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. disastrous consequences
“The decision to ignore the safety warnings had disastrous consequences for the entire crew.”
adj + noun
04. disastrous effect
“The oil spill had a disastrous effect on the local marine life and tourism industry.”
adj + noun
05. disastrous for the economy
“Experts warn that a sudden increase in interest rates could be disastrous for the economy.”
adj + prep
06. potentially disastrous
“The pilot managed to avoid a potentially disastrous collision on the runway.”
adv + adj
Adverb
07. utterly disastrous
“The opening night of the play was utterly disastrous due to several technical failures.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“Drainage layers need inspecting to prevent disastrous leaks that damage the building below.” “But there is mounting evidence that the consequences of the Tory spending cuts are maturing with disastrous consequences.” Etymology
From disaster + -ous, after Middle French desastreux (modern French désastreux; from desastre (modern French désastre, “disaster”; from des- + astre, a calque of Italian disastro) + -eux), itself after Italian disastroso, from disastro + -oso, from dis- (“away, without”) (from Latin dis-) + astro (“star, planet”) (from Latin astrum (“star, celestial body”), from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓́στρον (ắstron)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/disastrous
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0