ireful

[ahyuhr-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of intense anger; wrathful.

2. easily roused to anger; irascible.

Other Word Forms

• irefully adverb
• irefulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ireful¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; ire, -ful

Example Sentences

It makes me ireful to think o’ them.

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But there," she continued irefully, "you may talk to a fool till you are dead and 'twill still be a fool!

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In this ireful frame of mind, Mabel met the ladies of the Advisory Council.

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But the other brake out in anger, for still was his wrath great, and irefully he spoke: "Even to such a plight hast thou thyself brought me!"

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And so," she exclaimed, slamming the door, and irefully addressing Rachel, "and so your beggarly father has been and broke my china cup!

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