annus horribilis

noun

an·​nus hor·​ri·​bi·​lis ˈa-nəs-hȯr-ˈi-bə-ləs 

ˈä-

plural anni horribiles ˈa-ˌnī-hȯr-ˈi-bə-ˌlēz 

ˈä-

: a disastrous or unfortunate year

Examples of annus horribilis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But what about Hollywood’s worst year — its annus horribilis maximus? —Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2023

Photo: Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Bud Light’s partnership deal with UFC last month was a rare win for the beer brand this year, an annus horribilis dominated by a damaging consumer boycott over its collaboration with a transgender influencer. —Katie Deighton, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023

This year has proved to be another annus horribilis for Vice, with Dubuc stepping down as CEO in February and Jesse Angelo, Vice’s global president of news and entertainment, exiting in March. —Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2023

But the year was as much an awakening as an annus horribilis: Researchers and citizens alike, in the United States and beyond, chose to speak out at rallies, on social media and even in the political arena — unprecedented numbers of scientists are considering a run for office. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, horrible year

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above