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disaster

dis·as·ter

disaster

 
 
pronunciation:
dih zae str
features:
Word Combinations (noun), 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
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Word History
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.
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