Apocalyptic
/ˌæpəˈkælɪptɪk/
adjectiveIntermediate📊CommonDescriptive
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
Describing or relating to an apocalypse; involving or being like complete and utter destruction.
/ˌæpəˈkælɪptɪk/
adjectivenegativeIntermediate
Descriptive
Describing events resembling the end of the world.
The apocalyptic landscape was devoid of life.
💡 Simply: Like the end of the world
More Examples
2
He described the war in apocalyptic terms.
How It's Used
Literary
"The novel painted an apocalyptic vision of a future ravaged by climate change."
Film
"The movie featured apocalyptic scenes of widespread destruction."
From Late Latin *apocalypticus, from Greek apokalyptikos, from apokalyptein 'to unveil, reveal', from apo- 'away, off' + kalyptein 'to cover'. Originally referring to the Book of Revelation.
The word's usage has increased in modern times, often linked to themes of environmental disaster and societal collapse.
Memory tip
Think 'apocalypse' - end of the world.
Word Origin
LanguageGreek
Original meaning
"to unveil, reveal"
Base: apocalypse
apocalyptic visionapocalyptic scenarioapocalyptic prophecy
Common misspellings
apocalipticapocalyticapocaliptical
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written