Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - catastrophic

1. Something that is catastrophic involves or causes a sudden terrible disaster. A tidal wave caused by the earthquake hit the coast causing catastrophic damage... The water shortage in this country is potentially catastrophic... = disastrous ADJ • catastrophically The faulty left-hand engine failed catastrophically as the aircraft approached the airport. ADV: usu ADV after v, also ADV adj/-ed/adv 2. If you describe something as catastrophic, you mean that it is very bad or unsuccessful. ...another catastrophic attempt to arrest control from a rival Christian militia... His mother’s untimely death had a catastrophic effect on him. = disastrous ADJ • catastrophically By the time we had to sell, prices had fallen catastrophically. ADV: usu ADV after v