Dictionary.com

abysmal

[ uh-biz-muhl ]
/ əˈbɪz məl /
Save This Word!

adjective
of or like an abyss; immeasurably deep or great.
extremely or hopelessly bad or severe: abysmal ignorance; abysmal poverty.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of abysmal

First recorded in 1650–60; abysm + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM abysmal

a·bys·mal·ly, adverbul·tra-a·bys·mal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use abysmal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abysmal

abysmal
/ (əˈbɪzməl) /

adjective
immeasurable; very greatabysmal stupidity
informal extremely badan abysmal film

Derived forms of abysmal

abysmally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK