What does tragedy mean?
A tragedy is an event, situation, or dramatic work marked by serious suffering, misfortune, or catastrophe. In everyday use, the word often identifies a distressing event that affects individuals or a community, as in a family tragedy or national tragedy. It can also describe a work of literature or drama centered on conflict, suffering, and an unhappy resolution. The word is not limited to death: a serious personal disappointment or a painful social injustice may also be described as tragic. Consequently, “tragedy” carries a strong emotional and moral weight and is often more emphatic than “misfortune.” In literary analysis, it refers to a particular dramatic genre, especially the classical form associated with Greek theatre. Together, these meanings make the word useful for describing both individual suffering and larger human or civic disasters.
nounA tragedy is an event or situation that causes great suffering, loss, or misfortune. In literature, it can also refer to a serious drama involving suffering, conflict, and an unhappy outcome.
- An event or situation involving great suffering, loss, or misfortune.
- A serious or emotionally distressing situation regarded as a personal or collective misfortune.
- A dramatic work dealing with suffering, conflict, and an unhappy outcome.
"The loss of the young singer was a tragedy for her family and the entire community."
"The earthquake was a tragedy that affected thousands of families."
"Her powerful new film is a meditation on grief, injustice, and moral failure."
“Tragedies” is the standard countable plural. The word is also commonly used without a plural when referring to tragedy as a general condition or dramatic genre.
"The documentary examined the tragedies experienced by families during the conflict."
The word comes from ancient Greek for “goat song,” because early Greek tragedies were associated with ritual choruses involving goats.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tragedy come from?
The word comes through Latin from Greek tragōidia, literally “goat song.” Its earliest theatrical sense referred to a serious dramatic performance, and the name is associated with the ritual choruses and animal sacrifices of ancient Greek religious festivals. The modern sense of a disastrous or profoundly unhappy event developed by generalization from the severe suffering depicted in tragedy.
Related word forms
How tragedy is actually used
“Tragedy” is commonly countable when referring to a particular event, as in “a family tragedy.” It is also used in literary and theatrical contexts, where it can mean a serious drama or a broadly unhappy or disastrous situation.
Easily confused with tragedy
A tragedy is a disastrous or profoundly unhappy event, whereas treachery is deliberate betrayal or dishonesty.