dire
Americanadjective
-
causing or involving great fear or suffering; dreadful; terrible.
a dire calamity.
-
indicating trouble, disaster, misfortune, or the like.
dire predictions about the stock market.
-
urgent; desperate.
in dire need of food.
adjective
-
Also: direful. disastrous; fearful
-
desperate; urgent
a dire need
-
foreboding disaster; ominous
a dire warning
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dire
First recorded in 1560–70, dire is from the Latin word dīrus fearful, unlucky
Explanation
Dire refers to situations or events that cause great fear and worry. A dire calamity causes much suffering. If a family is in dire need, they need immediate help. Dire predictions or warnings tell us that a disaster may happen in the future. If you are trapped between the burning building behind you and the high cliffs in front of you, you might describe yourself as being in dire straits.
Vocabulary lists containing dire
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act I
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Anand -- who was co-hosting a conference with the EU on returning Ukrainian children deported by Russia -- also hailed Kyiv's "resilience" for turning around the dire situation on the battlefield.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
Then Amazon.com came along, and by 2019 Barnes & Noble was in dire shape.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026
The UN has warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite the ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas six months ago, following two years of devastating war.
From BBC • May 5, 2026
The controller has a bully pulpit to vent about the city’s dire financial straits, as well as auditing powers to unearth where the city might be overspending, but does not actually manage the budget.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
These figures are merely for illustration, but accurate estimates may be made for a wide range of dire possibilities.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
