tragic means causing great sadness or suffering. It carries an Arena rating of 1500, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, tragic ranks #2,309 of 14,431 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #2,328 of 14,438 for Most Storied Words, #2,574 of 14,448 for Funniest Words, #2,838 of 14,340 for Most Vivid Words.
tragic is pronounced /ˈtɹæd͡ʒɪk/.
Why “tragic” is a great word
Causing or characterized by extreme distress, sorrow, or disaster, especially in a manner evoking the dignified suffering of dramatic tragedy. From Latin tragicus, from Ancient Greek τραγικός (tragikós, 'of or relating to tragedy'), from τράγος (trágos, 'male goat'), a reference to the goat-satyrs in the theatrical plays of the Dorians; first recorded in English 1535–45. Unlike 'sad,' which names a quiet, unfocused ache, or 'calamitous,' which measures sudden, widespread ruin, 'tragic' carries the weight of an inescapable, fatal flaw. It is the scent of burning laurel on a funeral pyre, the cold kiss of a blade held too long, the echo of a soliloquy spoken to an uncaring moon—the human spirit framed in the terrible beauty of its fall.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek τραγικός (tragikós, “of or relating to tragedy”), from τράγος (trágos, “male goat”), a reference to the goat-satyrs of the theatrical plays of the Dorians.
adj
- Causing great sadness or suffering.e.g.“Her father's early death was tragic.”
- Relating to tragedy in a literary work.
- Having been the victim of a tragedy.
- Cringeworthy; tryhard; unhip; embarrassing; hopeless; indicative of (or having) a chronic lack of self-awareness.e.g.“That dress is tragic.”
noun
- An obsessive fan, a superfane.g.“Within the club itself, Crowe is regarded not only as a benefactor but as a fanatic -- a Rabbitohs tragic.”
- A writer of tragedy.
- A tragedy; a tragic drama.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- tragedy 90% match — A drama or similar work, in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers the extreme consequences of some tragic flaw or weakness of character. vs tragic →
- calamitous 87% match — Causing or involving calamity; disastrous. vs tragic →
- melancholic 85% match — Filled with or affected by melancholy—great sadness or depression, especially of a thoughtful or introspective nature. vs tragic →
- catastrophe 85% match — Any large and disastrous event of great significance. vs tragic →
- dismal 85% match — Disastrous, calamitous. vs tragic →
- calamity 84% match — An event resulting in great loss. vs tragic →
- heartbreak 84% match — Overwhelming mental anguish or grief, especially that caused by loss or disappointment. vs tragic →
- deplore 84% match — To bewail; to weep bitterly over; to feel sorrow for. vs tragic →