tragedy

A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances.

The genre made up of such works.

The art or theory of writing or producing these works.

A play, film, television program, or other narrative work that portrays or depicts calamitous events and has an unhappy but meaningful ending.

A disastrous event, especially one involving distressing loss or injury to life.

A tragic aspect or element.

A dramatic poem or composition representing an important event or series of events in the life of some person or persons, in which the diction is grave and dignified, the movement impressive and stately, and the catastrophe unhappy; that form of the drama which represents a somber or a pathetic character involved in a situation of extremity or desperation by the force of an unhappy passion.

[capitalized] Tragedy personified, or the Muse of tragedy. See cut under Melpomene.

A fatal event; a dreadful calamity.