Vocabulary Spotlight
Casualty
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A person injured or killed in a serious accident or war.
“The battle resulted in a high number of casualties on both sides.”
Pronunciation
[KAZH-oo-uhl-tee]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Injury
Loss
Fatality
Wound
Antonyms
Safety
Protection
Survival
Health
Related Words
Casualty rate
Word Origin
“Casualty” comes from the Latin casualitas, meaning “chance” or “accident,” entering English in the late Middle Ages to refer to someone affected by a sudden misfortune.
Word Family
Noun: Casualty – A person harmed in an accident or war.
Adjective: Casual – Happening by chance; not planned.
Mnemonics
Think “casual” + “ty” (unfortunate event) – an unexpected injury or fatality in a serious situation.
Industry-specific Usage
Healthcare
In healthcare, casualty wards are dedicated to treating victims of accidents or violence.
Military
In the military, casualty reports track personnel losses due to injury or death in combat.
Insurance
Insurance policies may cover casualties, particularly in situations involving accidents and injuries.
In Context
The term “casualty” commonly appears in news reports, referring to those injured or killed in wars, accidents, or natural disasters. In hospitals, casualty departments are where trauma patients are treated urgently.