disaster

Everyday

1. A disaster is a terrible event that causes a lot of damage, suffering or death, like an earthquake, flood or big crash. tree →
2. A disaster is something that goes very badly or fails completely. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science, natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes and tsunamis; families make emergency plans for them. In everyday life, a burnt cake or a wrong costume can be «a disaster» in a joking way. Phrases: «natural disaster», «a total disaster», «end in disaster», «disaster area».

Examples

• The flood was a natural disaster for the whole town. tree →
• Our first try at the cake was a disaster. tree →
• The trip ended in disaster when the bus broke down. tree →
• People gave money to help the disaster victims. tree →
• Know your family's plan in case of a disaster. tree →
• The play was nearly a disaster, but we saved it. tree →
• Scientists study earthquakes to prevent disasters. tree →
• False confidence often leads to disaster. tree →

Note

Countable: «a disaster», «disasters». Adjective: «disastrous» (no «e» before r). Exaggeration: in everyday talk people call small problems «a disaster»; in news it means real harm. In maths problems it may come with numbers of people helped, money raised or houses damaged.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Job says disaster is the fitting fate for evildoers. The tradition often reads suffering as linked to wrongdoing, though the Book of Job questions this idea. In the primary lessons: In geography and science, natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes and tsunamis; families make emergency plans for them. In everyday life, a burnt cake or a wrong costume can be «a disaster» in a joking way. Phrases: «natural disaster», «a total disaster», «end in disaster», «disaster area».

Examples

• Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity? (Writings JOB.31.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: «a disaster», «disasters». Adjective: «disastrous» (no «e» before r). Exaggeration: in everyday talk people call small problems «a disaster»; in news it means real harm. In maths problems it may come with numbers of people helped, money raised or houses damaged.