Apocalypse
/əˈpɒkəlɪps/
Definitions
A catastrophic event resulting in widespread destruction or the end of the world.
/əˈpɒkəlɪps/
A great disaster or final destruction of the world.
Many apocalyptic movies depict the end of civilization.
💡 Simply: A really big disaster, often the end of the world.
More Examples
Some religious texts describe an imminent apocalypse.
How It's Used
"The Book of Revelation describes the apocalypse."
"The movie depicted a zombie apocalypse."
Idioms & expressions
the apocalypse
The ultimate destruction or end of the world.
"The news reports painted a picture of impending apocalypse."
From Late Latin apocalypsis, from Greek apokálypsis "revelation," from apokalýptō "I reveal," from apo- "away, off" + kalýptō "I cover, conceal."
The word's usage has evolved from its strict religious connotations to encompass any large-scale catastrophic event.
Memory tip
Think 'apocalypse' as the unveiling (from the Greek 'apokalypto') of a devastating event.
Word Origin
"uncovering, revelation"