What does casualties mean?

Pronunciation

/ˈkæʒuəlti/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A term used to describe people or animals that have been killed or wounded, often in a violent or unexpected event.

Examples

• The bombing resulted in numerous casualties.
• The natural disaster left many casualties in its wake.

Synonyms

• Victims
• Deaths

Antonyms

• Survivors
• Unharmed

Additional Information

The term “casualties” is often used in military, medical, and disaster response contexts to describe the number of people affected by an event. It can also be used more broadly to describe the impact of an event on a community or population.

In some cases, the term “casualties” may be used to describe the financial or economic costs of an event, rather than the human toll. For example, a company might report casualties in the form of lost revenue or damaged property.

Etymology

The word “casualty” comes from the Latin “casus,” meaning “fall” or “event,” and the suffix “-alty,” which forms nouns indicating a state or condition.

Usage Notes

The term “casualties” is often used in formal or official contexts, such as in news reports or government statements. In informal contexts, it may be more common to use terms like “victims” or “injured.”

Cultural References

The term “casualties” has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and books, often in the context of war, disaster, or tragedy.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Collateral casualties” – unintended consequences or harm caused by an action.

Related Words or Phrases

• Death toll
• Injury report

Collocations

• Casualties of war
• Number of casualties

Frequency of Use

The term “casualties” is relatively common in formal or official contexts, but less common in informal conversation.

Common Misspellings

• Casualtys
• Casulties