(an event that results in) great harm, damage, or death, or serious difficulty

An inquiry was ordered into the recent rail disaster (= a serious train accident). 有关方面下令调查最近这起铁路灾难事故。

It would be a disaster for me if I lost my job. 对我而言，如果丢了工作那将是一场灾难。

This is one of the worst natural disasters ever to befall the area. 这是该地区所经历的最严重的自然灾害之一。

Heavy and prolonged rain can spell disaster for many plants. 大量持续的降雨会对很多植物造成巨大的危害。

Everything was going smoothly until suddenly disaster struck. 灾难突然降临之前一切进行得都很顺利。

Inviting James and Ivan to dinner on the same evening was a recipe for disaster (= caused a very difficult situation) - they always argue with each other. 请詹姆斯和伊凡一起吃晚饭简直就是自找苦吃——他们在一起总是争来争去。

Synonyms: calamitycataclysm catastrophecrisisemergencytragedy

to be very unsuccessful or extremely bad

The evening was a complete disaster. 那场晚会糟透了。

As an engineer, he was a disaster. 作为工程师，他简直糟糕透顶。

Our first gig was a total disaster.

We went on a date and, honestly, it was a complete disaster.

As a player, she was unquestionably brilliant, but as a coach, she was a disaster.

I tried making the coffee cake from that recipe site and it was an utter disaster.