calamitous

IPA/kəˈlæmɪtəs/
KK[kəlˈæmətəs]IPA/kəˈlæmɪtəs/

calamitous — adjective

  • calamitouspositive
  • more calamitouscomparative
  • most calamitoussuperlative

1. Describes an event, action, or result that brings very serious harm, loss, or hu

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

Describes an event, action, or result that brings very serious harm, loss, or human suffering.

Example

The calamitous flood left Linh's family without electricity for three days.

collocation: calamitous flood

A calamitous mistake during surgery changed the patient's life forever.

collocation: calamitous error

Common collocations
  • calamitous consequences
  • calamitous decision
  • calamitous defeat
  • calamitous error
  • calamitous flood
  • calamitous loss
  • calamitous war
Synonyms
  • disastrous

    The closest everyday synonym; more common in general speech than the more formal 'calamitous'.

  • catastrophic

    Usually suggests even more extreme destruction, often sudden or large-scale.

  • ruinous

    Emphasizes damage that destroys someone's finances, plans, or future stability.

Antonyms
  • harmless

    Causes no damage or suffering.

  • beneficial

    Produces helpful or positive results instead of severe harm.

Grammar Patterns

calamitous + noun

be + calamitous

be + calamitous for + noun/pronoun

have calamitous consequences for + noun/pronoun

Usage Note

Usually used for events or decisions with large, lasting consequences, not for small everyday troubles. Common with nouns such as flood, war, error, loss, and consequences.

Common Mistakes

Missing one homework sheet was calamitous.
Missing one homework sheet was annoying.
'Calamitous' is reserved for very serious damage or suffering, not minor everyday problems.
The soup tasted calamitous.
The factory leak had calamitous effects on the river.
'Calamitous' describes harmful events or results, not ordinary opinions about taste.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe outcomes that go badly, but they differ in scale and tone. 'Disastrous' is the broad everyday choice for a plan, result, or event that turns out very badly. 'Calamitous' is more formal and often suggests widespread suffering or long-lasting social damage, especially with wars, floods, errors, or policy decisions. 'Catastrophic' usually points to the most extreme level, often with sudden collapse or destruction. 'Ruinous' narrows the focus to damage that wrecks finances, prospects, or stability rather than to physical disaster alone.

disastrous ↗catastrophic ↗ruinouscalamitous ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • calamitous consequences
  • calamitous decision
  • calamitous error
  • calamitous flood
  • calamitous loss

Adverbs

  • economically calamitous
  • politically calamitous
  • socially calamitous
  • potentially calamitous

Phrases

  • have calamitous consequences
  • prove calamitous for

Prepositions

  • calamitous for

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Late Latin 'calamitosus', meaning 'full of disaster or damage', built from Latin 'calamitas' ('calamity'). It came into English through French and Latin learned use in the early modern period.

First known use

1545

1545, in the meaning defined above