adversity Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a state of misfortune or affliction
    hard knocks; hardship.
    • debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity
    • a life of hardship
  2. noun a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event
    • a period marked by adversities

WordNet

Ad*ver"si*ty noun
Etymology
OE. adversite, F. adversité, fr. L. adversitas.
Wordforms
plural Adversities
Definitions
  1. Opposition; contrariety. Obs. Wyclif.
    Adversity is not without comforts and hopes. Bacon.
    Syn. -- Affliction; distress; misery; disaster; trouble; suffering; trial.

Webster 1913