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单词 disaster
释义
disasterdi‧sas‧ter /dɪˈzɑːstə $ dɪˈzæstər/ ●●● S3 W3 noun [countable, uncountable] Word Origin
WORD ORIGINdisaster
Origin:
1500-1600 French désastre, from Italian disastro, from astro ‘star’ (from the idea of luck coming from the stars)
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • At least 264 people died, in one of the worst civilian air disasters of all time.
  • I'd invite you in, but my place is a disaster.
  • Natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes are common occurrences in California.
  • The disaster killed more than 200 people.
  • The 1986 nuclear disaster in Chernobyl spread radiation worldwide.
  • The Challenger disaster cost the lives of seven astronauts, and set back the nation's space program for years.
  • The city has emergency plans for dealing with a major disaster such as a rail crash.
  • The crash Monday is the latest in a long line of air disasters in West Africa.
  • The governor said the earthquake was the worst natural disaster to hit India for over 50 years.
  • The local people are used to coping with disaster.
  • The Los Alamos area was officially declared a disaster area after the forest fires there in May.
  • The party was a total disaster.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • But if they do not leave, he said, ecological disaster could be as little as five or 10 years away.
  • Despite the glossy packaging he ruined Labour's chances last time and he is set to repeat the disaster.
  • General consensus is the meeting was a disaster.
  • No disaster, and the wrecking of this ship is a disaster, justifies you to act stupidly.
  • Our current economic policy has the makings of disaster.
  • Shawcross raises these questions within the context of disaster relief but they have a broader setting.
  • Staff here say that would spell disaster for hundreds of alcoholics.
Thesaurus
THESAURUS
a sudden event such as an accident, or a natural event such as a flood or storm, which causes great damage or suffering: · 200 people died in the train disaster.· The earthquake was the worst natural disaster to hit India for over 50 years.
a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, damage, suffering, or death over a wide area of the world: · A large comet hitting the Earth would be a catastrophe.· We don’t want another nuclear catastrophe like Chernobyl.· Scientists say that the oil spill is an ecological catastrophe.
a very sad event, that shocks people because it involves death: · It was a tragedy that he died so young.· the AIDS tragedy in Africa
an event or situation that is a complete failure and is very embarrassing: · The opening ceremony turned into a debacle.· The team is hoping to do better this game, after last week’s debacle against the Chicago Bears.
natural disasters
a sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface that often causes a lot of damage: · A powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.· It was the biggest earthquake to hit the Pacific Northwest for 52 years.
a very large amount of water that covers an area that is usually dry: · Bangladesh has been hit by a series of devastating floods (=very bad floods).· The crisis began with floods that covered one third of the countryside.
a long period of dry weather when there is not enough water for plants and animals to live: · The country experienced its worst drought this century.· In East Africa, three years of drought have left 10 million people in urgent need of food and water.
a situation in which a large number of people have little or no food for a long time and many people die: · Poor harvests led to famine.· 4,000,000 people are threatened by famine in northern Ethiopia.
a storm that has very strong fast winds and that moves over water – used about storms in the North Atlantic Ocean: · extreme weather such as hurricanes· Hurricane Andrew left southern Florida in ruins.
a violent tropical storm – used about storms in the Western Pacific Ocean: · A typhoon has hit the Philippines, lifting roofs off houses and uprooting trees.·
a very large wave, caused by extreme conditions such as an earthquake, which can cause a lot of damage when it reaches land: · Thousands of people were killed in the tsunami.· Many Pacific earthquakes have generated tsunamis.
Longman Language Activatora disaster
an extremely bad accident or natural event in which a lot of people are killed: · The disaster killed more than 200 people. · The crash on Monday is the latest in a long line of air disasters in West Africa.· The local people are used to coping with disaster.natural disaster (=caused by wind, rain, or other natural forces): · Natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes are common occurrences in California.· The governor said the earthquake was the worst natural disaster to hit India for over 50 years.disaster area: · The Los Alamos area was officially declared a disaster area after the forest fires there in May.
a terrible event that causes a lot of deaths, damage, and destruction over a wide area: · The blizzard was a catastrophe that affected 17 states, ranging from New Hampshire to Tennessee.environmental/ecological/nuclear etc catastrophe: · Scientists say the oil spill is an ecological catastrophe.· Most people now accept that global warming could result in an environmental catastrophe.
a terrible and very sad event or situation, usually resulting in suffering or death: · Investigators still do not know what caused the tragedy, which killed all 278 people on board.· the worst tragedy in the history of space flight· Unless the world deals with the AIDS threat now, the African continent could suffer "a tragedy of historic proportions".
a terrible and unexpected event that causes great damage and loss: · Hurricane George was just the latest calamity to hit the state.· The flood was a calamity from which Bangladesh has never fully recovered.· Singh told reporters that he had not seen such human suffering in any previous natural calamity.
causing a lot of destruction or suffering
· A disastrous fire destroyed much of the city in the early 1900s.· Much of the damage wrought by the disastrous three-day storm was still apparent.disastrous consequences · There was a fault in the engine design, which had disastrous consequences.
causing terrible destruction and suffering and many deaths, over a wide area: · The flooding was catastrophic, killing hundreds of people and leaving thousands homeless.· The destruction of the world's rain forests could have a catastrophic influence on the earth's climate.
causing great suffering and sadness: · The President referred to Friday's air disaster as a "tragic loss of life".
in a car, train, plane etc
· The accident happened on Interstate 84, during the evening rush hour.· Brussels airport was closed today after an accident on the runway.have an accident · Teenage boys tend to drive wildly and often have accidents.bad/nasty/serious accident · As usual, the fog and icy roads had led to several very nasty accidents.fatal accident · Men have twice as many fatal accidents as women do for every mile they drive.car/road/traffic accident · Both her parents had been killed in a car accident.auto/automobile accident American · She was in an automobile accident, but she's not seriously hurt.
an accident in which a vehicle or plane hits something violently and is damaged or destroyed: · Ira Louvin was killed in a crash in Montana that also took the lives of six other people.car/plane/train crash: · Her husband died in a plane crash in 1981.
American an accident involving cars or other vehicles: · Nobody could have survived the wreck.
a serious road accident in which many cars or other vehicles crash into each other: · The pile-up happened in thick fog and caused a seven-mile tailback on the motorway.multiple pile-up British (=a pile up involving a large number of cars): · a multiple pile-up involving a minibus and five cars
a very serious accident involving a train, plane, or ship, in which many people are killed: · The city has emergency plans for dealing with a major disaster such as a rail crash.air/rail disaster: · At least 264 people died, in one of the worst civilian air disasters of all time.the Lockerbie disaster/the Challenger disaster etc: · The Challenger disaster cost the lives of seven astronauts, and set back the nation's space program for years.
an accident in which two or more vehicles, planes, or ships hit each other: collision with: · A school bus has been involved in a collision with a fuel tanker.mid-air collision (=between two planes in the air): · The risk of a mid-air collision over central London has increased dramatically.head-on collision (=between two vehicles moving directly towards each other): · These airbags are designed to protect car drivers in head-on collisions.
when an event or product is unsuccessful
· The latest model seems likely to be a failure since cheaper versions are now available.be a complete/total failure · It takes a little while for an author to realize that his book has been a complete failure. be a commercial failure (=to not make enough profit) · Her first film was praised by the critics, but was a commercial failure.
to be completely unsuccessful, in a way that makes people feel disappointed and embarrassed: · It was a fiasco! Nobody knew what they were doing and everything went wrong.· The show turned into a fiasco when members of the audience invaded the stage.be a complete/total fiasco: · Lamont's attempts to prop up the pound were a complete fiasco.
if an event, especially a social event, is a disaster , it makes people feel angry, disappointed, or embarrassed, instead of being enjoyable: · Our first date was a disaster.· The whole visit was something of a disaster, and he was still recovering from it months later.be a total/complete disaster: · Even the host would have to admit that the evening had been a complete disaster.
if a situation or event is a shambles , it is completely unsuccessful because it has been very badly planned or organized: · The whole conference was a shambles because half the speakers did not come.· The way this school is run is a shambles.be a complete/total shambles: · Let's hope this year's celebrations aren't a complete shambles like last year's.
if a product, play, or performance flops or is a flop , it is not successful because people do not like it: · The movie flopped and Laughton never got the chance to direct again.· It was just another so-called "wonder product' that flopped when people failed to buy it.· Despite all the publicity, the show was a flop.· It is the public who decide whether a film will be a hit or a flop.
informal if a product, play, or performance bombs , it is not successful because people do not like it: · Although the show was a hit in London it bombed on Broadway.· She has had few offers of work since her last movie bombed so spectacularly.
when things are spread around in a messy way
when things are spread around everywhere in a dirty, untidy way: · We spent the morning tidying up the mess after the party.· There were cups and ashtrays everywhere - what a mess!· We love having our grandchildren visit, but they always leave such a mess for us to clean up.
when everything is very untidy, nothing is organized, and there is no order or system: · We've just moved into the new office and I've no idea where anything is - it's chaos!in chaos (=in a state of chaos): · I arrived home unexpectedly and found the house in chaos.
when a lot of things have been left together in one place, especially unnecessary things that prevent you from moving around easily: · It seemed impossible for her to keep the house free of clutter.clutter of: · On the dresser a clutter of compacts, rouges, and lipsticks lie half open.
informal a place that is very messy or dirty: · I'd invite you in, but my place is a disaster.· The kids room is always a disaster area.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1ADJECTIVES/NOUN + disaster
(=caused by nature)· In recent years there has been an increase in weather-related natural disasters.
(=causing great damage to nature)· This region is facing an ecological disaster as a result of toxic waste.
(=an air or rail accident)· The crash was the worst rail disaster in Pakistan’s history.
(=an accident involving nuclear power or weapons)· A conflict could get out of hand and degenerate into nuclear disaster.
· It was a terrible disaster which carried away a large part of the hillside.
verbs
(=happens suddenly)· Congress often gives millions of dollars in foreign aid when natural disasters strike.
· They called for an international programme to prevent the disaster happening again.
disaster + NOUN
(=area where a disaster has happened)· Military planes flew food supplies to the disaster area.
(=money, food, clothes etc for people in a disaster area)· an emergency appeal for disaster relief
(=someone who is suffering because of a disaster)· Aid is being given to the disaster victims.
 Meaning 2adjectives
· Last Saturday’s game was a complete disaster for our team.
· The project was a financial disaster.
· The Labour Party called the new government 'a national disaster'.
· I’d taken some professional risks and survived a few personal disasters.
(=a complete failure)· The $24,000,000 movie was an unmitigated disaster.
(=one that could happen)· Always save a backup copy of your work to avoid potential disasters.
(=one that is going to happen soon)· She had a sense of impending disaster.
verbs
· By the late 1990s his career had ended in disaster.
(=cause something to end badly or fail)· Bad luck and the recession spelt disaster for her business.
phrases
(=be almost ending in a very bad way)· Once again the peace process was on the brink of disaster.
(=be a situation that is very likely to end badly)· If you get married too young, it’s a recipe for disaster.
(=used to say that something is bad and will fail)· The government’s educational reforms are a disaster waiting to happen.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
 In October 1962 the world seemed on the brink of nuclear war. The company had huge debts and was on the brink of collapse.
 To have admitted this would have courted political disaster.
 The town was declared a disaster area (=officially called a disaster area) after the floods.
 He was in imminent danger of dying.
 She had a sense of impending disaster.
 natural disasters (=things such as floods or earthquakes)
(=someone who says that bad things will happen)
 She said that five small boys on skis was a recipe for disaster, not a holiday.
· Our objective is to provide food aid and emergency relief to developing countries.
 Everything seemed to be going fine when suddenly disaster struck.
 The sales campaign was a total disaster.
· The damage is so serious that the government has declared the city a disaster zone.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· But if they do not leave, he said, ecological disaster could be as little as five or 10 years away.· Rampart Dam, however, was an ecological disaster probably with-out precedent in the world.· In sum, our nation was headed toward ecological disaster.· Ben has adapted his zany thriller about ecological disaster and will play the lead.· Then there was Nordhausen - an industrial centre which was an ecological disaster.· But it's also a story of ecological disaster and man's excess.· Tex Slampacker was referring to yet another man-made ecological disaster.
· Preaching economic death and disaster may not be Labour's best tactic.· Despite the economic disaster that had befallen his country in the decade he had held power, he was confident of victory.· The human disaster for its victims and their families thus feeds into a social and economic disaster for the countries affected.· Along with the carrot of pecuniary reward must go the stick of personal economic disaster.· The coal strike alone will not cause the economic disaster that the Soviet government is pretending it will.· The poll tax has been a social, political and economic disaster of historic proportions.· Today the country totters on the edge of economic disaster.
· If there had been a bolt on my belay at Swanage it would not have been an environmental disaster.· The result is that civil, socio-political and environmental disasters are now threatening the roots of our existence.· Of course, the Third World has already had - and has - some considerable environmental disasters.· Although the oil wells survived they where badly managed and an environmental disaster.· Perhaps international pressure can stop this environmental disaster.· By 1903 the spectre of that environmental disaster had vanished.
· But it could mean the difference between financial security and financial disaster for you and your family should a serious accident strike.· Sound accounting advice will make your business; lack of good accounting advice is a recipe for financial disaster.· With reduced legal aid payouts and a tough new means test for applicants looming, it could spell financial disaster.· But the experiment has been a financial and cultural disaster.· Captain Hamilton Mahoney, despite his financial disasters, had been a loving, understanding, and exciting father.· The only way to steer reclamation away from utter financial disaster in the Missouri Basin was to subsidize it with hydropower revenues.· The project ended in financial disaster, and Vermuyden was temporarily imprisoned for not paying his debts.· Yet an open-ended discussion with a lawyer can be a financial disaster for you.
· The house gives the impression of having been abandoned suddenly, in anticipation of some great disaster.· I at once feared some great disaster.· Nile perch: a fine food fish, but responsible for one of the greatest biological disasters of the twentieth century.· After the great disaster of his failed health reforms, he rarely tried again to do anything bold.· In the reign of Boris Goldgather a great disaster overtook the Empire.· In its report, Topics 2000, the researchers have chronicled great natural disasters stretching back over the past 1,000 years.· A great or major disaster is based on the number of people killed and the economic loss of the event.· These figures move slowly around a terrain apparently laid waste by some great disaster.
· This is the world's worst industrial disaster.· Besides annihilating about 40,000 homes, the worst natural disaster in memory destroyed countless businesses and jobs.· The other recalls what was for a long time Britain's worst air disaster.· Many are calling this the worst humanitarian disaster in the world today.· He calls the drought the worst natural disaster to hit Texas this century.· The team from St Tiggywinkles say it's the worst disaster they've ever seen.· All 39 hands perished in the worst shipping disaster in Teesside's history.
· For much of the past week I have had this dreadful, stomach-churning feeling of imminent disaster.· Yet, by a miracle of defensive dexterity, Kasparov survived again and again from what looked like imminent disaster.
· Nothing, she told herself, could be worse than this uncertainty, this sense of impending disaster.· Earlier on, they had sensed impending disaster.
· Nothing barring a major disaster can prevent her from becoming a main attraction - Barbara Dennerlein is a star in the ascendant.· In the past, comets were feared harbingers of important historical events, including invasions and major disasters.· From a climbing, diving and industrial archaeological view, blowing up anything in this area would be a major disaster.· A great or major disaster is based on the number of people killed and the economic loss of the event.· Although major disasters such as large oil pollution incidents and deaths from pesticides are few, both cause continuing problems.· The Great Idea had become a major disaster, she had been lucky to escape with her life.· The final withdrawal without major disaster enabled them to preserve some profit.· It crowns a long-term rise in catastrophe losses, even though the number of major disasters was below its mid-1980s peak.
· Dorset gentry were irritated at Dorchester folk's disregard of their social superiors; national politics brought disaster.· To call such an occurrence a national disaster begs the point.· The prime minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has said he will set up a national disaster agency.· President Suharto declared a national disaster on Dec. 15.
· Newsgroups are also highly popular as a means of tracing family members who may have fled conflict or natural disaster.· During recent natural disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has quickly sent out relief checks to thousands of residents.· The plan is intended to protect the environment and reduce damage from natural disasters.· Or a natural disaster may wipe out my offspring.· In recent years, however, natural disasters and overgrazing have caused serious degeneration of grassland.· Second, it could prevent us from dealing expeditiously with emergencies such as natural disasters or military threats.· And the engineering marvel turned out to be a slow-motion natural disaster.· But we have known the trauma of one natural disaster after another.
· Yet he kept his cool through these near-disasters, for which he earned universal respect.· It took a couple of near disasters to set me straight.· Once again, he had walked away from near disaster.
· Two school authorities rejected the section on nuclear disasters.· Whether this concern can prevent another Chernobyl-type nuclear reactor disaster remains to be seen.
· Another potential disaster area was housing.· Such uniform crops are breeding grounds of potential disaster due to vulnerability to pests or disease.· Another potential disaster area is the canopy locking and jettison arrangements.· Yablokov also warned of potential long term disasters caused by ruptures of oil and water pipelines.· The Forestry Commission says there's the potential for disaster when the dumped cars are set alight.· In today's world, the whole idea seems fraught with potential disaster.
· Miss Bingham's first band session was rather less than absolutely fabulous; in fact it was a total disaster.· The answer may be one or both of these and only a careful rescue package can avert a total disaster.· It could be as marvellous as you think it will be or it could be a total disaster.· It might also be a total disaster and leave the chasm as wide as before.· However, even a 10 % infection rate is a total disaster for any society.
· She had to admit that he would almost certainly not see the situation as an unmitigated disaster.· On health and safety issues, however, deregulation has been an unmitigated disaster.· So far, the tour had been an unmitigated disaster.· What is happening in Assam is an unmitigated disaster.· The raid itself was an unmitigated disaster.
NOUN
· The other recalls what was for a long time Britain's worst air disaster.· Interview. he sez he saw the plaque and thought he'd see what was recorded on the air disaster.
· Another potential disaster area was housing.· As far as my patients went, I became a walking disaster area.· Almond said he may ask President Clinton to declare Rhode Island a disaster area, clearing the way for federal funds.· Only this week, our shower and changing room have been declared a disaster area by the council.· And many work units are virtual disaster areas in terms of fairness and worker satisfaction.· Another potential disaster area is the canopy locking and jettison arrangements.· Two engines were found in a lake nine miles from the disaster area.
· Shawcross raises these questions within the context of disaster relief but they have a broader setting.· For the first time the Soviet Government allowed foreign disaster relief organisations to enter its territory on a massive scale.· The Mango concept is based on the well-established RedR service which helps agencies to recruit engineers for disaster relief operations.· This allowed disaster relief experts to construct a new stone wall to reinforce the dam.
· What happens before disaster strikes and long after journalists have forgotten it matters even more than rescue and relief.· But most of this growing population is poor and marginalised, even before disaster strikes.· Why, then, should their lives be of less value when disaster strikes?
VERB
· At a fairly young age I learnt to sniff out danger and step into choppy conversations to skilfully avert disaster.· The answer may be one or both of these and only a careful rescue package can avert a total disaster.· Leader comment, page 18 Driver averts tanker disaster.
· A good staff manoeuvred to avoid such disasters, attempting to manipulate the presentation of news.· He made a television play but turned down all other offers that came his way, desperate to avoid another disaster.
· It is estimated that one heavy rainstorm could bring disaster.· Tightening credit might bring on disaster, he said.· His monolithic Movement is unlikely to survive him; yet its disintegration may bring disaster.
· She said that, contrary to popular opinion, traumas caused by such a disaster were not short-lived.· Implementation of this plan does not guarantee that a microorganism will not cause disaster.· The misunderstanding causes disaster when the mounted tom-cat discovers that the kitten is too small for mating.· The coal strike alone will not cause the economic disaster that the Soviet government is pretending it will.· Vertical integration has caused a crop of disasters.· It's threatening to cause a huge ecological disaster.
· Miletos, on the other hand, had courted disaster, and Branchidai had suffered.· She kept looking up because looking down would be to court disaster.· She knew that the longer the relationship lasted, the more she courted disaster.
· Only this week, our shower and changing room have been declared a disaster area by the council.· Almond said he may ask President Clinton to declare Rhode Island a disaster area, clearing the way for federal funds.· President Suharto declared a national disaster on Dec. 15.· President Clinton declared federal disasters in 37 California counties, opening the way for low-interest loans and other federal aid.· Many have been left homeless and the region was declared a disaster zone.· After President Bush declared a disaster, Congress immediately appropriated $ 2. 7 billion in emergency assistance.· Last night President Bush declared Hawaii a disaster area.· Fife Symington declared the situation a disaster and released $ 200, 000 in state funds to help in the fight.
· It ends with humiliation and disaster all round.· She had known it would end in disaster.· New battles are prepared for, to end in new disasters.· The ill-fated exchange had ended in disaster.· It was an unnatural devotion which, to her mind, could end only in disaster.
· What happens before disaster strikes and long after journalists have forgotten it matters even more than rescue and relief.· BSo what happens when the disasters cease, as they have now for the past couple of years?
· Experts say a forty foot crack in a medieval transept wall could have led to disaster.· In those early years, pillage and embezzlement had already led to fearful disasters.· Unsuccessful affairs could lead to personal disaster.· After the closing of its distribution centers led to organizational disaster, the firm did its best to minimize these consequences.· That is both why he has survived and why he has led his country to disaster.· It is all designed to produce an instant of indecision, a moment of confusion that leads to disaster.· An accidental experiment shows how a change of scene can lead to disaster.· Nyamwisi Movingi had resigned from this post on March 22, accusing the government of leading the country to disaster.
· Other protesters blocked cars, demanding answers from a government they said moved too slowly to prevent the disaster.· The only way to prevent more cycles of disaster was to build a civilization based on irrigated farming.· This would help prevent such a disaster occurring again.· Herewith some advice on preventing inconvenience turning into disaster.· In 1991 the state adopted an update of the Uniform Plumbing Code to prevent such a disaster from happening.
· Has not the experiment proved a disaster for vast numbers of national health service patients?· This discussion was proving to be a disaster.
· Staff here say that would spell disaster for hundreds of alcoholics.· All of this spells a disaster for the stock market, Allmon contends.· With reduced legal aid payouts and a tough new means test for applicants looming, it could spell financial disaster.· It only rarely spells universal disaster.· Delegated authority without a meaningful consultation process would spell disaster for teacher morale, motivation, commitment and hence effectiveness.· After all, one case of the trots hardly spells disaster.· You never come in this kitchen but you break something: when you help it spells disaster.
· Even in bed, sweet pleasure had turned to disaster.· Herewith some advice on preventing inconvenience turning into disaster.· Top: The excitement of a new pond will quickly wane if it turns into a disaster area overnight.· At the Games: Poorly organized and poorly attended, the Paris Games turn into a disaster.· And what should have been a doddle for Lord Waddington turned into a disaster.· But Oklahomans have always had a way of turning their recurrent disasters, both natural and man-made, into assets.· But difficulty could turn to disaster for the region.· From a financial point of view, the insurance has turned a disaster into an inconvenience.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a near disaster/collapse etc
  • It was a practical certainty that he would be trying to raise more loans long before these were ever repaid.
  • After all, one case of the trots hardly spells disaster.
  • Delegated authority without a meaningful consultation process would spell disaster for teacher morale, motivation, commitment and hence effectiveness.
  • However, other investors said a difficult Diet session could spell trouble for bonds in the medium-term.
  • Staff here say that would spell disaster for hundreds of alcoholics.
  • Troubling developments For the reference-service industry, these developments spell trouble.
  • On health and safety issues, however, deregulation has been an unmitigated disaster.
  • She had to admit that he would almost certainly not see the situation as an unmitigated disaster.
  • So far, the tour had been an unmitigated disaster.
  • The raid itself was an unmitigated disaster.
  • What is happening in Assam is an unmitigated disaster.
  • As far as my patients went, I became a walking disaster area.
Word family
WORD FAMILYnoundisasteradjectivedisastrousadverbdisastrously
1a sudden event such as a flood, storm, or accident which causes great damage or suffering → catastrophe:  One hundred and twenty people died in China’s worst air disaster. the economic consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disasterdisaster for The oil spill was a disaster for Alaskan sea animals. The 1987 hurricane was the worst natural disaster to hit England for decades. Their expedition nearly ended in disaster, when one of the climbers slid off the mountain. The drought could spell disaster for wildlife. Disaster struck when two men were killed during their parachute jumps. The peace process was on the brink of disaster. Luckily the pilot saw the other plane just in time, and a disaster was narrowly averted.► see thesaurus at accident2something that is very bad or a failure, especially when this is very annoying or disappointingsomething is a complete/total/disaster Because of the weather, the parade was a total disaster. The evening was an unmitigated disaster (=a complete failure).disaster for The cuts in funding will be a disaster for the schools. Five small boys on skis is a recipe for disaster (=is very likely to end badly).COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1ADJECTIVES/NOUN + disastera natural disaster (=caused by nature)· In recent years there has been an increase in weather-related natural disasters.an ecological/environmental disaster (=causing great damage to nature)· This region is facing an ecological disaster as a result of toxic waste.an air/rail disaster (=an air or rail accident)· The crash was the worst rail disaster in Pakistan’s history.a nuclear disaster (=an accident involving nuclear power or weapons)· A conflict could get out of hand and degenerate into nuclear disaster.a terrible disaster· It was a terrible disaster which carried away a large part of the hillside.verbsa disaster strikes (=happens suddenly)· Congress often gives millions of dollars in foreign aid when natural disasters strike.prevent/avert a disaster· They called for an international programme to prevent the disaster happening again.disaster + NOUNa disaster area/zone (=area where a disaster has happened)· Military planes flew food supplies to the disaster area.disaster relief (=money, food, clothes etc for people in a disaster area)· an emergency appeal for disaster reliefa disaster victim (=someone who is suffering because of a disaster)· Aid is being given to the disaster victims.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesa complete/total disaster· Last Saturday’s game was a complete disaster for our team.a financial/economic/military etc disaster· The project was a financial disaster.a national disaster· The Labour Party called the new government 'a national disaster'.a personal disaster· I’d taken some professional risks and survived a few personal disasters.an unmitigated disaster (=a complete failure)· The $24,000,000 movie was an unmitigated disaster.a potential disaster (=one that could happen)· Always save a backup copy of your work to avoid potential disasters.an impending disaster (=one that is going to happen soon)· She had a sense of impending disaster.verbsend in disaster· By the late 1990s his career had ended in disaster.spell disaster (=cause something to end badly or fail)· Bad luck and the recession spelt disaster for her business.phrasesbe on the brink of disaster (=be almost ending in a very bad way)· Once again the peace process was on the brink of disaster.be a recipe for disaster (=be a situation that is very likely to end badly)· If you get married too young, it’s a recipe for disaster.something is a disaster waiting to happen (=used to say that something is bad and will fail)· The government’s educational reforms are a disaster waiting to happen.THESAURUSdisaster a sudden event such as an accident, or a natural event such as a flood or storm, which causes great damage or suffering: · 200 people died in the train disaster.· The earthquake was the worst natural disaster to hit India for over 50 years.catastrophe a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, damage, suffering, or death over a wide area of the world: · A large comet hitting the Earth would be a catastrophe.· We don’t want another nuclear catastrophe like Chernobyl.· Scientists say that the oil spill is an ecological catastrophe.tragedy a very sad event, that shocks people because it involves death: · It was a tragedy that he died so young.· the AIDS tragedy in Africadebacle an event or situation that is a complete failure and is very embarrassing: · The opening ceremony turned into a debacle.· The team is hoping to do better this game, after last week’s debacle against the Chicago Bears.natural disastersearthquake a sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface that often causes a lot of damage: · A powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.· It was the biggest earthquake to hit the Pacific Northwest for 52 years.flood a very large amount of water that covers an area that is usually dry: · Bangladesh has been hit by a series of devastating floods (=very bad floods).· The crisis began with floods that covered one third of the countryside.drought a long period of dry weather when there is not enough water for plants and animals to live: · The country experienced its worst drought this century.· In East Africa, three years of drought have left 10 million people in urgent need of food and water.famine a situation in which a large number of people have little or no food for a long time and many people die: · Poor harvests led to famine.· 4,000,000 people are threatened by famine in northern Ethiopia.hurricane a storm that has very strong fast winds and that moves over water – used about storms in the North Atlantic Ocean: · extreme weather such as hurricanes· Hurricane Andrew left southern Florida in ruins.typhoon a violent tropical storm – used about storms in the Western Pacific Ocean: · A typhoon has hit the Philippines, lifting roofs off houses and uprooting trees.· tsunami a very large wave, caused by extreme conditions such as an earthquake, which can cause a lot of damage when it reaches land: · Thousands of people were killed in the tsunami.· Many Pacific earthquakes have generated tsunamis.
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