- pronunciation:
- dih
zae
st
r
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
a sudden event causing much damage or suffering.
The volcanic eruption was a disaster for the town.- synonyms:
- calamity, catastrophe, tragedy
- similar words:
- accident, affliction, blow, misfortune, mishap
|
definition 2: |
a complete failure.
The first meal I tried to cook was a disaster.- similar words:
- bomb, bust, dud, failure, flop
|
related words: |
ordeal |
Disaster comes from
disastro, an Italian word that means "without the stars." In former times, it was thought that the stars influenced human events. Terrible events were believed to have been caused by an unlucky position of the stars.