apocalypse

noun

apoc·​a·​lypse ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips 

plural apocalypses

1

a

: one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 marked by pseudonymity, symbolic imagery, and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a messianic kingdom

b

capitalized : revelation sense 3

2

a

: something viewed as a prophetic revelation

b

: armageddon

3

a

: a large, disastrous fire : inferno

Most foresters agree that small, "prescribed" burns, carefully controlled, are essential to prevent the larger apocalypse.

—Lance Morrow

b

: a great disaster

an environmental apocalypse

Synonyms

• calamity
• cataclysm
• catastrophe
• debacle
• débâcle
• disaster
• tragedy

Examples of apocalypse in a Sentence

His book tells of an environmental apocalypse.

the fear that the next global pandemic could be an apocalypse of biblical proportions

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, the romance picks up around eight years after a zombie apocalypse. —Francesca Gariano, People.com, 1 May 2025

Joel helps Maria oversee construction for new living quarters in Jackson for the steady stream of new residents seeking refuge from the fungal apocalypse, even though Joel believes Maria is letting in people too fast to house. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025

It’s been two years since the devastating season 1 finale of The Last of Us, HBO’s adaptation of the 2013 Naughty Dog video game that coiled its tendrils around our throats and yanked us into a bleak apocalypse. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Nestled in the hoodoo-ed peaks, stars ignite like forest fires surging on the heights, red-hot beginning named apocalypse. —Julie Swarstad Johnson, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Apocalipse "Revelation (the New Testament book)," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin apocalypsis "revelation, the Book of Revelation," borrowed from Greek apokálypsis "uncovering, disclosure, revelation," from apokalyp-, stem of apokalýptein "to uncover, disclose, reveal" (from apo- apo- + kalýptein "to cover, protect, conceal," of uncertain origin) + -sis -sis

Note: Greek kalýptein is associated in older handbooks with Indo-European *ḱel- "conceal" (see conceal), though neither the vocalism nor the supposed extension *-up- are easily explicable.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing apocalypse

• the apocalypse

Rhymes for apocalypse

• apprenticeships
• assistantships
• championships
• dictatorships
• directorships
• professorships
• receiverships
• relationships
• airships
• airstrips
• clerkships
• eclipse

Kids Definition

apocalypse

1 of 2 noun

apoc·​a·​lypse

ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips

1

: something thought of as a prophetic revelation

2

a

: the place or time of the final battle between good and evil

b

: a decisive battle

3

: a great disaster

apocalyptic

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik

adjective

Apocalypse

2 of 2 noun

: one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 by an author writing under a pseudonym that is marked by symbolic imagery and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a heavenly kingdom see bible