First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
tragedy
noun trag·e·dy \ˈtra-jə-dē\
: a very bad event that causes great sadness and often involves someone's death
: a very sad, unfortunate, or upsetting situation : something that causes strong feelings of sadness or regret
: a play, movie, etc., that is serious and has a sad ending (such as the death of the main character)
plural trag·e·dies
Full Definition of TRAGEDY
1
a : a medieval narrative poem or tale typically describing the downfall of a great man b : a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror c : the literary genre of tragic dramas
2
a : a disastrous event : calamity b : misfortune
3
: tragic quality or element
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Origin of TRAGEDY
Middle English tragedie, from Middle French, from Latin tragoedia, from Greek tragōidia, from tragos goat (akin to Greek trōgein to gnaw) + aeidein to sing — more at troglodyte, ode
Related to TRAGEDY
- Synonyms
- apocalypse, calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, debacle (also débâcle), disaster
- Antonyms
- fortune, luck, serendipity
Other Literature Terms
TRAGEDY Defined for Kids
tragedy
noun trag·e·dy \ˈtra-jə-dē\
plural trag·e·dies
Definition of TRAGEDY for Kids
1
: a disastrous event
2
: a serious play that has a sad or disastrous ending
Learn More About TRAGEDY
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