ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tragic

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈtɹædʒɪk// UK //tɹˈædʒɪk// trag·ic Archaic General-service Informal

adj. extremely sad because it involves death, suffering, or serious trouble. You use it to describe events that feel very unfair or painful.

adj. causing or characterized by extreme distress or sorrow, typically involving death or misfortune. Often used in a literary context to describe a protagonist's downfall caused by a fatal flaw.


SIMPLE

The news of the car accident was truly tragic.

CONTEXTUAL

The community gathered to support the family after the tragic loss of their home in the fire.

COMPLEX

The play follows a tragic hero whose inability to forgive his enemies eventually leads to his own isolation and demise, illustrating the destructive power of pride.

Synonyms
Origin

From Ancient Greek τραγικός (tragikós, “of or relating to tragedy”), from τράγος (trágos, “male goat”), a reference to the goat-satyrs of the theatrical plays of the Dorians.

Usage

Commonly modifies nouns like 'accident', 'event', 'loss', or 'hero'.

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