'catastrophic' originates from the Greek word 'katastrophē,' where 'kata-' meant 'down' and 'strophē' meant 'turning.'

'katastrophē' transformed into the Latin word 'catastrophicus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'catastrophic.'

Initially, it meant 'a turning down or overturning,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.'