annus horribilis

noun

an·​nus hor·​ri·​bi·​lis ˈa-nəs-hȯr-ˈi-bə-ləs 

ˈä-

plural anni horribiles ˈa-ˌnī-hȯr-ˈi-bə-ˌlēz 

ˈä-

: a disastrous or unfortunate year

Examples of annus horribilis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But what about Hollywood’s worst year — its annus horribilis maximus? —Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2023

Photo: Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Bud Light’s partnership deal with UFC last month was a rare win for the beer brand this year, an annus horribilis dominated by a damaging consumer boycott over its collaboration with a transgender influencer. —Katie Deighton, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023

This year has proved to be another annus horribilis for Vice, with Dubuc stepping down as CEO in February and Jesse Angelo, Vice’s global president of news and entertainment, exiting in March. —Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2023

But the year was as much an awakening as an annus horribilis: Researchers and citizens alike, in the United States and beyond, chose to speak out at rallies, on social media and even in the political arena — unprecedented numbers of scientists are considering a run for office. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2017

Then came the annus horribilis of 2016. —Samuel Moyn, The New Republic, 14 Feb. 2023

How did the annus horribilis affect the monarchy? —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Nov. 2022

Revenue-wise, the Danish market hit DKK 994.67 million ($144.3 million), up 52% from the 2021 annus horribilis for cinemas, but just 16% down on the 2019 trawl, according to the Danish Film Institute (DFI), and based on figures from cinema association FAFID. —Annika Pham, Variety, 3 Feb. 2023

In 1992, England’s Queen Elizabeth II used annus horribilis in her annual Christmas message to describe a year of lowlights that included a massive fire at Windsor Castle, the collapse of several royal marriages, and a toe-sucking scandal involving the Duchess of York. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, horrible year

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above