Crisis

Pronunciation

Origin

From Ancient Greek κρίσις (krisis, "a separating, power of distinguishing, decision, choice, election, judgment, dispute"), from κρίνω (krinō, "pick out, choose, decide, judge")

Full definition of crisis

Noun

1. A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.
2. An unstable situation, in political, social, economic or military affairs, especially one involving an impending abrupt change.
3. A sudden change in the course of a disease, usually at which the patient is expected to recover or die.
4. (psychology) A traumatic or stressful change in a person's life.
5. (drama) A point in a drama at which a conflict reaches a peak before being resolved.

Derived terms

• crisis management
• currency crisis
• financial crisis
• economic crisis
• international crisis
• identity crisis
• existential crisis
• personal crisis
• psychological crisis
• midlife crisis
• quarter-life crisis

Related terms

• critic
• critical
• criticize
• critique
• criterion