styrt

Styrt is a Norwegian noun meaning a sudden fall, crash, or collapse. The term covers both literal falls—such as a person losing balance or an object giving way—and more figurative uses, like a rapid decline in prices, fortunes, or conditions. In everyday language, styrt can describe events that involve abrupt, violent movement or change, including accidents or mishaps.

Etymology and forms: Styrt originates from Old Norse styrt, a word associated with a violent fall. In contemporary Norwegian it appears in various compounds and phrases, with flystyrt being the most common example, referring to an aircraft crash. The word is widely used in journalism, sports commentary, and descriptive prose to convey suddenness and force.

Usage and contexts: In aviation and news reporting, styrt is used to describe crashes or catastrophic incidents, as in flystyrt. In sports or daily life, it can refer to a player’s or participant’s fall or tumble. Figuratively, styrt can signal a sharp downturn or collapse in sectors such as the economy, markets, or a project’s progress.

See also: fall, krasj, flystyrt, crash.