fiasco

word

Definition

A fiasco is a complete and embarrassing failure, especially something planned that goes wrong in a dramatic or public way.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly used in informal to neutral speech for dramatic failures. Commonly paired with plans, events, or projects: 'the party was a fiasco'. Not applied to minor mistakes; it describes large-scale, public failures.

Example Sentences

The school play was a fiasco.

basic

The dinner turned into a fiasco after the oven broke.

basic

Her surprise party was a fiasco because no one showed up.

basic

What a fiasco—everything that could go wrong, did!

natural

Their big launch became a fiasco when the system crashed live.

natural

I tried baking bread, but it ended up a total fiasco—don't ask.

natural