Word
fiasco
Phoneticsfi·as·co, stress on the second syllable
/fiˈæskoʊ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a complete and embarrassing failure. You use this when something goes wrong in a messy or public way.
n. a complete failure, especially one that is humiliating or ridiculous. Often implies a lack of organization or a series of avoidable errors.
Examples
“The school play turned into a total fiasco.”
“The product launch was a fiasco because the website crashed within minutes of the announcement.”
“What began as a minor logistical oversight quickly escalated into a public relations fiasco that cost the company millions in lost revenue.”
Examples
simple
“The school play turned into a total fiasco.”
contextual
“The product launch was a fiasco because the website crashed within minutes of the announcement.”
complex
“What began as a minor logistical oversight quickly escalated into a public relations fiasco that cost the company millions in lost revenue.”
Usage
Commonly modified by adjectives like 'total', 'complete', or 'absolute'.
Real-World Examples
“Who should pay for this fiasco of a plan, and the chaos of its abrupt pause?” “What was "first aid for loneliness" could turn into a mental health fiasco in the long run.” - 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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