adversity

«adversity» in Mova's school dictionary: A very hard or unlucky time, full of problems and… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

noun (adversity, adversities)

meaning for a pupil

1) A very hard or unlucky time, full of problems and troubles: illness, being poor, losing someone, or facing danger. tree →

2) A particular difficult event or misfortune (plural adversities). tree →

sense in the lessons

In stories and history lessons heroes often «overcome adversity», showing courage and patience. In PSHE and ethics it is linked to resilience: getting through hard times. Phrases: «in the face of adversity», «overcome adversity», «triumph over adversity».

examples

• She showed great courage in the face of adversity. tree →
• The team overcame adversity to win the final. tree →
• The family faced many adversities after the flood. tree →
• Adversity can make friends grow closer. tree →
• The story is about a boy who triumphs over adversity. tree →
• Helen Keller's life is an example of courage in adversity. tree →
• We must make friends in prosperity if we would have their help in adversity. tree →

note

Formal word; everyday words are «hard times», «trouble». Mostly uncountable: «in adversity». Related: «adverse» (harmful, unfavourable: «adverse weather»). Do not confuse with «adversary» (an enemy or opponent).

In the corpora

• And the king swore and said: 'As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
• He saith in his heart: 'I shall not be moved, I who to all generations shall not be in adversity.'
• A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
• If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small indeed.
• For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the wicked stumble under adversity.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «adversity» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.