disastrous
gb/dɪzˈæstɹəs/ us/dɪzˈæstɹəs/
B2
English
~ 7000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
causing very serious harm or failure
Causing very big problems, damage, or failure.
Usage pattern:
a disastrous [decision/event/result]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "disastrous" (adjective) with "disaster" (noun) and say *"a disaster decision"* instead of "a disastrous decision." Spelling mistakes like *"disasterous"* are also common. In addition, learners may say *"disastrous on"* rather than the more natural "disastrous for" when talking about who or what is harmed.
Synonyms
catastrophic (Often used for very large-scale or dramatic disasters, especially in news or formal writing.)
|
devastating (Focuses more on extreme emotional or physical damage to people or places.)
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ruinous (Stresses that something causes financial or long-term damage; slightly more formal.)
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calamitous (Formal and literary; suggests a series of very serious misfortunes.)
Antonyms
beneficial (Describes something that produces good, helpful effects instead of harm.)
|
favorable (Emphasizes producing good conditions or positive results, the opposite of harmful outcomes.)
Collocations
disastrous consequences
|disastrous results
|disastrous decision
|prove disastrous
|economically disastrous
|politically disastrous
Themes
problems
|risk
|society
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new law had disastrous consequences for small businesses.
- Their decision to ignore the safety warnings proved disastrous.
- A fire in the data center would be disastrous for the company.
- The invasion turned out to be a disastrous military mistake.
- Cutting maintenance budgets could have disastrous effects on public transport.
Learner examples
- The storm was disastrous for the farmers.
- His poor plan was disastrous for the team.
- Losing that customer was disastrous for the small shop.
- A long power cut would be disastrous for the hospital.
- Buying that old machine was a disastrous choice.
adjective
B2
property
2
extremely bad or unsuccessful
Very, very bad or unsuccessful in a strong way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is disastrous
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse general words like "very bad" and do not use "disastrous" for strong emphasis when something goes really badly. Also, they may think "disastrous" can describe a person, saying *"He is disastrous"* instead of describing the action or performance, such as "His driving is disastrous."
Synonyms
terrible (Very common, slightly less strong and dramatic than "disastrous.")
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awful (Very informal and emotional, often about personal experiences.)
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dreadful (Emotional and negative, often used in British English for strong disapproval.)
Antonyms
excellent (Direct opposite, meaning extremely good or successful.)
|
successful (Focuses on achieving good results instead of failing badly.)
Collocations
disastrous performance
|disastrous exam
|disastrous interview
|disastrous date
|disastrous start
|disastrous season
Themes
evaluation
|daily_life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I made a disastrous first impression at the job interview.
- The team's performance in the final was absolutely disastrous.
- Our trip started in a disastrous way when we missed the flight.
- Her cooking was disastrous, and nobody could finish the meal.
- The new show received disastrous reviews from the critics.
Learner examples
- My exam was disastrous, and I think I failed.
- The meeting was disastrous because nobody was ready.
- His first date was disastrous, and they did not meet again.
- The singer had a disastrous night and forgot the words.
- Their holiday was disastrous from the very first day.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disastrous
IPA
GB/dɪzˈæstɹəs/
US/dɪzˈæstɹəs/
Syllables & stress
dis - astrous (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (astrous)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: disastrous
Word family
Core family
disaster
noun B1
disastrously
adverb
Expressions
disastrous consequences
1/dɪzˈæstɹəs kˈɑnsəkwˌɛnsɪz/
fixed phrase
very harmful results or outcomes
Very bad and harmful results that come from an action or decision.
Examples
- Ignoring climate change could have disastrous consequences for future generations.
- The report warns of disastrous consequences if the plan goes ahead.
potentially disastrous
1/pətˈɛnʃəli dɪzˈæstɹəs/
fixed phrase
might cause very serious harm
Able to cause very big problems or damage, if things go wrong.
Examples
- They decided not to take the potentially disastrous risk.
- A failure of the cooling system would be potentially disastrous for the reactor.
prove disastrous
1/pɹˈuv dɪzˈæstɹəs/
fixed phrase
turn out to be very harmful
To finally show, through results, that something causes very big problems or harm.
Examples
- Cutting corners on safety could prove disastrous in an emergency.
- Moving too fast without proper research may prove disastrous for the company.