C2nounformalnatureenvironment
US/kəˈlæm.ə.ti/
UK/kəˈlæm.ə.ti/
a sudden event that causes great damage, suffering or loss
In context
Vietnam's central provinces face natural calamities almost every autumn.
Losing the whole harvest would be a calamity for these families.
Experts say the oil spill was a calamity that could have been avoided.
Words that go with calamity
adjective + noun
- natural calamityThe fund helps families hit by a natural calamity.
- economic calamityThe closure of the mine was an economic calamity for the town.
- environmental calamityScientists fear an environmental calamity if the reef dies.
verb + noun
- avert a calamityQuick action by engineers helped avert a calamity at the dam.
noun + preposition
- calamity forThe drought was a calamity for coffee growers.