Disastrous

Definition

Disastrous refers to something that causes great harm, damage, or suffering, often resulting in severe negative consequences. It is used to describe events or situations that lead to significant failures or catastrophes.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /dɪˈzæstrəs/
• Respelling: dih-ZAS-truhs

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /dɪˈzɑːstrəs/
• Respelling: dih-ZAH-struhs

The pronunciation of "disastrous" differs slightly between American and British English, particularly in the vowel sounds.

Etymology

The word "disastrous" comes from the Middle French word "désastre" and the Italian "disastro," which combine "dis-" (meaning "bad" or "against") and "astro" (meaning "star"). It originally referred to the belief that stars or planets influenced events, often in a negative way. The term entered the English language in the late 16th century, maintaining its negative connotation.

Derivatives

• Disaster (noun)
• Disastrously (adverb)
• Undisastrous (adjective)
• Pre-disastrous (adjective)
• Non-disastrous (adjective)

Synonyms

• Catastrophic
• Devastating
• Ruinous

Antonyms

• Fortunate
• Successful
• Favorable

Usage

The term "disastrous" is used to describe events, outcomes, or actions that lead to negative or destructive results. It is commonly employed in both formal and informal contexts to convey the severity of a failure or mistake. The word is often associated with large-scale damage or harm, particularly in natural disasters, accidents, or poor decision-making.

Related Terms

• Calamitous: Causing or involving great misfortune or disaster.
• Tragic: Characterized by extreme distress or sorrow.
• Destructive: Causing great and irreparable damage or harm.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Causing great damage or distress: Refers to something that brings about significant harm or negative consequences.
  • Example: "The company faced disastrous losses after the stock market crash."
• Extremely unsuccessful or failure-prone: Describes an event or decision that results in failure or catastrophe.
  • Example: "Their plan to expand the business overseas proved to be disastrous."