calamity

[ kuh-lam-i-tee ]

noun

, plural ca·lam·i·ties.

1. a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury.

   Synonyms: mishap, mischance, cataclysm, catastrophe, blow, reverse

2. grievous affliction; adversity; misery:

   the calamity of war.

calamity

/ kəˈlæmɪtɪ /

noun

1. a disaster or misfortune, esp one causing extreme havoc, distress, or misery
2. a state or feeling of deep distress or misery

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English calamite, from Middle French, from Latin calamitāt-, stem of calamitās (also kadamitas ) “crop failure, disaster,” of disputed origin; often considered to be derived from calam(us) “cane, reed” + -itās -ity ( def ), but perhaps instead akin to columus “safe,” incolumitās “safety”

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamity¹

C15: from French calamité, from Latin calamitās; related to Latin incolumis uninjured

Synonym Study

See disaster.

Example Sentences

Patrick Crusius worried that Texas — hot and dry and facing climate calamity — was being overrun by immigrants.

From Salon

This electoral calamity seriously undermines the Democratic Party’s already-tenuous claim to represent an American majority, and virtually completes its estrangement from most of the American working class.

From Salon

But Smith, who is the vice president and treasurer of the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council, saw potential for calamity, as winds were forecast to pick up.

From Los Angeles Times

More often than not, the perceived frontrunner is rather more circumspect about putting themselves on a potential collision course with calamity or embarrassment than the perceived challenger.

From BBC

Yet calamity and heartbreak often seemed to be around the corner.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adversity
• cataclysm
• catastrophe
• collapse
• hardship
• misfortune
• mishap
• scourge
• woe