# fiasco

/fiˈæskoʊ/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fiasco
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a complete and embarrassing failure. You use this when something goes wrong in a messy or public way.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modified by adjectives like 'total', 'complete', or 'absolute'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.