WordGarden.iotragic
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈædʒɪk/
US
- /ˈtrædʒɪk/
Meanings
Adjective
causing great sadness or involving terrible loss
relating to tragedy or to a disastrous downfall in a story
pathetically bad, embarrassing, or lame
Beyond the definition
"Tragic" is more than just sad. It describes events with deep suffering, often involving loss, death, or destruction. Think of ancient Greek plays: those stories were not simply unhappy, but full of pain and disaster. A tragic event can feel unavoidable, as if a terrible fate is unfolding even when people try to stop it.
You might describe a natural disaster as tragic, like a hurricane that destroys a town. But the word also applies to personal loss: a tragic accident or the loss of a loved one. It is stronger than simply "sad" because it suggests helplessness and damage that cannot be undone. Shakespeare often wrote about tragic heroes, characters with good qualities who are brought down by their flaws or by fate.
The word "tragic" describes events or situations that are deeply sorrowful, disastrous, and often involve loss, suffering, and destruction. It goes beyond simple sadness; a tragedy brings feelings of pity, fear, and often a sense that the outcome could not be avoided.
Originally rooted in Greek drama, where plays showed the downfall of noble characters because of fate or flaws, "tragic" now applies to a wide range of events. A tragic accident might be a car crash with fatal results. A tragic figure is someone who suffers great misfortune, often partly through fate or human weakness. Romeo and Juliet are classic examples.
Context matters: losing your favorite pen might be disappointing, but it is not tragic. The word carries weight and is usually saved for events that are deeply upsetting and have lasting consequences. It can also describe something that has the feeling of a tragedy, such as a tragic beauty in a decaying building or tragic irony in a situation where good intentions lead to bad results.
"Tragic" is not just about the event itself; it is also about the emotional impact and the sense of loss that remains afterward. It speaks to the fragility of life and the reality of suffering, themes found throughout literature, history, and personal experience. So when something is described as tragic, it suggests a deeply painful and heartbreaking turn of events.
Examples
- 1
Community accident
The community came together after a tragic accident at the factory.
- 2
Personal loss
Her sudden death was a tragic loss for everyone who knew her.
- 3
Housing hardship
It's tragic that some families have nowhere safe to live.
- Patternit's tragic that + sad situation
used to comment on a very sad situation
- 4
Aviation mistake
A tragic mistake by the pilot led to the crash.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Film ending
The film has a tragic ending, but it never feels dishonest.
- 6
Literary flaw
In the novel, his jealousy is his tragic flaw.
- Phrasetragic flaw
a weakness that leads to disaster, especially in stories
See also
Similar
- heartbreaking
- devastating
- sad
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- tragic accident
- tragic loss
- tragic death
- tragic ending
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- tragicadjective