Is calamity formal or informal?

What is the difference between calamity and disaster?

How do I use calamity in a sentence?

Is calamity a common word in academic writing?

← Dictionary

calamity

/kəˈlæməti/

IELTSAcademic

noun

A very serious event causing great damage, suffering, or loss; a disaster.

The flood was a terrible calamity for the village.
The earthquake brought widespread calamity.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: calamity focuses on large-scale events with heavy damage or suffering, stronger than 'problem' or 'trouble' and more event-based than 'sadness' or 'hardship'; choose it for disasters like wars or earthquakes rather than minor issues.

In other languages

Spanish: Catástrofe
Japanese: 大災害
Korean: 대재앙
Vietnamese: Thảm họa
Chinese: 大灾难

Etymology

Late Middle English from Old French calomnie, via Latin from Greek kalamōidia 'blowing', referring to the blast of a trumpet heralding disaster.

Common phrases

a great calamityin times of calamitythe calamity ofa calamity strikes

Synonyms

disaster catastrophe tragedy affliction misery

Frequently asked questions

Is calamity formal or informal?: Is calamity formal or informal?
What is the difference between calamity and disaster?: What is the difference between calamity and disaster?
How do I use calamity in a sentence?: How do I use calamity in a sentence?
Is calamity a common word in academic writing?: Is calamity a common word in academic writing?