Langimage
English

catastrophically

|ca/tas/tro/phi/cal/ly|

C1

/kəˌtæstrəˈfɪkli/

(catastrophic)

sudden great damage

Base FormAdverb
catastrophiccatastrophically
Etymology
Etymology Information

'catastrophically' originates from the Greek word 'katastrophē,' where 'kata-' meant 'down' and 'strophē' meant 'turning.'

Historical Evolution

'katastrophē' transformed into the Latin word 'catastrophicus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'catastrophic' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a turning down or overturning,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'disastrous or calamitous.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adverb 1

in a manner that involves or results in a disaster or catastrophe.

The dam failed catastrophically, flooding the entire valley.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/29 00:22