Words / B2

di-ZAHSTR-uh-s/dɪˈzɑːstrəs/

Disastrous means causing serious damage or failure: a disastrous launch; disastrous consequences. Disaster is the noun (already in the dictionary). Catastrophic is stronger; unfortunate is weaker. Results-day IT can be disastrous. Do not call a B grade disastrous in a calm report.

Meaning

Causing serious damage, harm, or failure.

Examples

• “A disastrous IT cutover left thousands without grades on results day.”
• “The weather made the field trip disastrous, which is still about real harm, not a dull day.”

Good to know

a disastrous result / decision; disastrous for. Noun: disaster. Stronger: catastrophic. Weaker: unfortunate. News and exam commentary. Not a mild inconvenience.

Near in meaning

catastrophic

New