Adversity
/ədˈvɜːrsəti/
nounB2
Definition
Adversity is a situation where someone has to deal with trouble, problems, or hardship (something hard to live through). It can be anything from personal difficulties like illness or loss, to larger problems like poverty or natural disasters. It shows times when life is not easy.
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⚡ See It in Action
Difficult or bad conditions in life causing suffering or problems
- •She showed great strength during adversity.
- •Many people face adversity when moving to a new country.
- •Adversity can teach us important lessons about patience and courage.
A specific event or problem causing hardship
- •Losing his home was a major adversity in his life.
- •The company survived adversity thanks to strong leadership.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "adversity" like "problem," but bigger and longer-lasting—more serious and harder to fix
- ✓Picture a strong storm that makes everything difficult, like heavy rain and wind stopping your plans
- ✓It's the feeling when you face something very hard, like losing a job or being sick, and you must keep going
- ✓Sounds like "add-VERSE-ity" → imagine a "verse" (line of a poem) that adds more trouble, making the story harder
- ✓Think of stories where heroes face big challenges but keep trying—that is dealing with adversity
- ✓NOT like "mistake" (small error), adversity is a big, serious challenge
- ✓NOT like "disaster" (sudden event), adversity can be long and slow, like ongoing difficulties
- ✓NOT like "luck" (good or bad chance), adversity is the bad part that makes life tough
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Difficulty: a hard situation or problem (Use when the challenge is serious but not extreme)
- •Hardship: severe suffering or lack of comfort (Use when focusing on suffering or pain)
- •Challenge: something that is hard but can be overcome (Use when emphasizing the chance to succeed)
- •Misfortune: bad luck or bad event (Use when the problem is caused by bad luck)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "ad-" (to, toward) + root "vers" (turn) + suffix "-ity" (state or condition)
- •Etymology: From Latin "adversitas," meaning "opposition" or "unfavorable condition"
- •Historical development: Used since the 14th century to describe hardship or misfortune
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in literature, speeches, and everyday language to describe difficult life situations or obstacles
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How do people’s reactions to adversity show their character or strength?
•Can facing adversity sometimes lead to personal growth or new opportunities?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.People often grow stronger after facing adversity because it ___ their courage and patience.
2.Adversity can come from many sources, such as illness, loss, or ___ changes in life.
3.Unlike a small problem, adversity usually lasts ___ and requires effort to overcome.
4.When someone talks about "overcoming adversity," they mean they ___ difficult times successfully.
5.Adversity often ___ feelings of sadness or stress but can also teach important lessons.
6.In stories, heroes face adversity to show their ___ and determination.
7.Adversity is different from luck because it is always a ___ situation, not a chance event.