annus horribilis

/ ˈænʊs hɒˈriːbɪlɪs /

noun

1. a terrible year

Word History and Origins

Origin of annus horribilis¹

C20: from Latin, modelled on annus mirabilis , first used by Elizabeth II of the year 1992

Example Sentences

China's annus horribilis has seen its stock markets fall, funds run up losses and foreign investors run for the exit.

From Reuters

China's annus horribilis has seen its stock markets fall, funds run up losses and foreign investors run for the exit.

From Reuters

A barrage of major central bank decisions and a critical U.S. consumer price inflation reading this week likely clear the decks in what has been an "annus horribilis" for world markets.

From Reuters

Morgan, who wrote the current season, doctored her celebrated speech in November 1992, when she described that year as her “annus horribilis.”

From New York Times

If 1992 was Queen Elizabeth II’s annus horribilis, she had Andrew Morton to blame for many of her woes.

From Washington Post