dire
[ dahyuhr ]
/ daɪər /
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adjective, dir·er, dir·est.
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.
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
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Origin of dire
First recorded in 1560–70, dire is from the Latin word dīrus fearful, unlucky
OTHER WORDS FROM dire
direly, adverbdireness, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for dire
British Dictionary definitions for dire
dire
/ (daɪə) /
adjective (usually prenominal)
Also: direful disastrous; fearful
desperate; urgenta dire need
foreboding disaster; ominousa dire warning
Derived forms of dire
direly, adverbdireness, nounWord Origin for dire
C16: from Latin dīrus ominous, fearful; related to Greek deos fear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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