an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
"the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"
"the earthquake was a disaster"
drama in which the protagonist is overcome by some superior force or circumstance; excites terror or pity
"The ancient play served as a classic tragedy, where the hero's fate was sealed by an unyielding divine curse that evoked both deep terror and profound pity."
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.
"The ancient play serves as a profound tragedy where the hero's unchecked pride leads inevitably to his downfall and death."
In plain English: A tragedy is an extremely sad event where something terrible happens to people, often ending badly despite their best efforts.
"The sudden car accident was a terrible tragedy for the entire family."
Usage: Use tragedy to describe serious dramatic works where protagonists face inevitable downfall due to fatal flaws. Distinguish it from general misfortune by emphasizing its connection to artistic storytelling and profound human suffering rather than everyday bad luck.
The word tragedy comes from Latin and Ancient Greek, where it originally referred to an epic play performed with actors dressed as satyrs wearing goatskin masks. Although some scholars suggest the name might have come from a literal goat used as a prize, the exact origin of combining "goat" and "song" remains uncertain.