calamitously
gb/kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli/ us/kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli/
C2
English
katasztrofálisan, vészesen, súlyosan
C2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[something] goes/ends/fails calamitously
The launch failed calamitously, forcing the company to recall the product within days.
A termékbevezetés katasztrofálisan kudarcba fulladt, ezért a cégnek néhány napon belül vissza kellett hívnia a terméket.
Negotiations ended calamitously after a last-minute leak to the press.
A tárgyalások katasztrofálisan végződtek, miután az utolsó pillanatban információk szivárogtak ki a sajtóhoz.
The bridge design was calamitously flawed and had to be abandoned.
Learner examples
The plan went calamitously wrong.
A terv katasztrofálisan félrement.
The meeting ended calamitously.
A megbeszélés katasztrofálisan végződött.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse it with words about being calm; it relates to 'calamity' (disaster).
Meaning
in a disastrous way
Collocations
go calamitously wrong
|fail calamitously
|end calamitously
|collapse calamitously
|miscalculate calamitously
|backfire calamitously
|go calamitously awry
|calamitously flawed
|calamitously mishandled
|calamitously inadequate
Synonyms
disastrously (The closest common synonym; emphasizes a disastrous result.)
|
catastrophically (Often suggests an even larger-scale disaster.)
|
ruinously (Highlights severe damage, especially financial or practical.)
Antonyms
successfully (Opposite outcome: it works well rather than disastrously.)
|
smoothly (Opposite manner: without serious problems.)
Themes
problems
|risk
|news
|failure
Definition
In a very bad way, with a terrible result.
In a way that results in serious failure, damage, or a disastrous outcome.
C2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
calamitously + [adjective/adverb] (e.g., calamitously wrong)
His figures were calamitously wrong, and the budget had to be rewritten.
A számai súlyosan tévesek voltak, ezért újra kellett írni a költségvetést.
The hospital was calamitously short of nurses during the winter surge.
A kórházban a téli betegáradat idején vészesen kevés ápoló volt.
We were calamitously unprepared for the sudden power outage.
Learner examples
The numbers were calamitously wrong.
A számok súlyosan tévesek voltak.
They were calamitously unprepared.
Vészesen felkészületlenek voltak.
Common mistake:
It usually modifies negative adjectives (e.g., wrong, unprepared), not positive ones.
Meaning
to a disastrously great degree
Collocations
calamitously wrong
|calamitously unprepared
|calamitously short of
|calamitously low
|calamitously behind
|calamitously late
|calamitously misinformed
|calamitously underfunded
|calamitously understaffed
|calamitously optimistic
Synonyms
terribly (More common and less formal; can be weaker.)
|
badly (Much more general and less intense.)
|
severely (More neutral/technical; focuses on degree rather than drama.)
Antonyms
slightly (Opposite degree: small rather than extreme.)
|
remarkably (Often used positively; contrasts with strongly negative evaluation.)
Themes
intensifiers
|problems
|evaluation
Definition
Extremely, in a way that causes big problems.
To an extreme degree that causes or shows serious harm or failure.
Grammar
Dictionary form
calamitously
IPA
GB/kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli/
US/kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli/
Syllables & stress
calam - it - ously (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (calam)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: calamitously
- Plural: calamitouslies
Word family
Forms
calamitouslies
noun
Core family
calamity
noun C1
calamitous
adjective C1
Expressions
calamitously short of
1/kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli ʃˈɔɹt əv/
fixed phrase
formal
lacking something badly
Not having enough of something, in a very serious way.
Examples
- The clinic was calamitously short of basic supplies.
- By August, the project was calamitously short of funding.
- The department is calamitously short of experienced teachers.
Learner examples
- The hospital is calamitously short of staff.
calamitously unprepared
1/kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli ˌʌnpɹipˈɛɹd/
fixed phrase
formal
dangerously not ready
Not ready at all, in a way that can cause a disaster.
Examples
- The agency was calamitously unprepared for the scale of the wildfire.
- We arrived calamitously unprepared for the cold and had to turn back.
- Many small firms were calamitously unprepared for the sudden rule changes.
Learner examples
- They were calamitously unprepared for the storm.
calamitously wrong
1/kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli ɹˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely and disastrously incorrect
Very, very wrong, with bad results.
Examples
- The early forecasts were calamitously wrong, leaving cities unprepared.
- If your assumptions are calamitously wrong, the conclusion won’t hold.
- His diagnosis proved calamitously wrong and delayed treatment.
Learner examples
- My guess was calamitously wrong.
go calamitously wrong
1/ɡˈoʊ kˈæləmɪtˈɔsli ɹˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
turn into a disaster
To fail very badly.
Examples
- If the timing is off, the whole operation can go calamitously wrong.
- Their attempt to fix the leak went calamitously wrong and flooded the basement.
- The trip went calamitously wrong after the passports were stolen.
Learner examples
- The plan went calamitously wrong.