tragedy
//ˈtɹæd͡ʒ.ɪ.di//
Forms
- Plural
- tragedies
Definitions
1.A drama or similar work, in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers the extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character.
2.The genre of such works, and the art of producing them.
3.A disastrous event, especially one involving great loss of life or injury.
- After the terrible tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in 1911, which killed 146 New York garment workers, proper fire drilling was considered a necessity.
- We saw a farmhouse burning down in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. And we rolled right past that tragedy 'till we turned into some road house lights.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3202
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
From the Middle English tragedie
From the Old French tragedie
From the Latin tragoedia
From the Ancient Greek τραγῳδία (tragōidía, “epic play, tragedy”)