tragic

C1 · Advanced Theater Academic

adj. relating to a serious play or story that has a very sad ending.

adj. pertaining to the genre of tragedy in literature or drama, specifically involving the downfall of a protagonist.

“The play follows a tragic hero who loses everything because of his pride.”

“Scholars often debate whether the protagonist's downfall is a result of fate or a specific tragic flaw in his character.”

C1 · Advanced Informal · Slang

adj. very embarrassing, uncool, or showing a lack of style.

adj. indicative of a chronic lack of social awareness or style; used to describe someone perceived as pathetic or 'try-hard'.

“He wore a neon tracksuit to the wedding, which was just tragic.”

“Her desperate attempts to stay relevant on social media by using outdated slang were widely considered tragic by her younger peers.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · Dialect

n. someone who is extremely interested in a specific hobby or sport, often to an embarrassing level.

n. a person who is obsessively devoted to a particular interest, hobby, or sports team.

“My uncle is a total cricket tragic and never misses a single match.”

“As a self-confessed political tragic, he spends his weekends reading obscure policy papers and watching live parliamentary debates.”