dire

[dahy^uhr]

adjective

direr, direst 

1. causing or involving great fear or suffering; dreadful; terrible.

   a dire calamity.

2. indicating trouble, disaster, misfortune, or the like.

   dire predictions about the stock market.

3. urgent; desperate.

   in dire need of food.

dire

/ daɪə /

adjective

1. Also: direful. disastrous; fearful

2. desperate; urgent

   a dire need

3. foreboding disaster; ominous

   a dire warning

Other Word Forms

• direly adverb
• direness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dire¹

First recorded in 1560–70, dire is from the Latin word dīrus fearful, unlucky

Word History and Origins

Origin of dire¹

C16: from Latin dīrus ominous, fearful; related to Greek deos fear

Example Sentences

They had a perfect opportunity in Perth to snap the dire streak and earn a psychological advantage heading into the pink-ball encounter in Brisbane.

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England had a perfect opportunity to snap the dire streak and earn a psychological advantage heading into the day-night second Test in Brisbane on December 4.

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The U.S. faces a dire connection shortage, but the issue is demand not supply.

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The crisis is dire: The average American does not have $1,000 for an emergency.

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Arch-rivals Australia and England resume Ashes hostilities on Friday in Perth with the hosts weakened by injuries but favourites to inflict more pain on a side with a dire record Down Under.

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Related Words

• alarming 
• appalling 
• awful 
• calamitous 
• cataclysmic 
• catastrophic 
• depressing 
• disastrous 
• dismal 
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• dreadful 
• gloomy 
• grim 
• horrible 
• lamentable 
• shocking 
• ugly 
• unfortunate