Meaning of the word catastrophic in English

What does catastrophic mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

catastrophic

US /ˌkæt̬.əˈstrɑː.fɪk/
UK /ˌkæt.əˈstrɒf.ɪk/
"catastrophic" picture

Adjective

involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering

Example:
The earthquake caused catastrophic damage to the city.
A sudden drop in sales could have a catastrophic effect on the company.