ireful

American  

[ahyuhr-fuhl] / ˈaɪər fəl /

adjective

1. full of intense anger; wrathful.

2. easily roused to anger; irascible.

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Other Word Forms

• irefully adverb
• irefulness noun

Etymology

Origin of ireful

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

Explanation

Use the adjective ireful to describe someone who's furious. You'll probably be ireful when you realize that your little brother used your favorite dress shirt as an apron when he baked brownies. The word ireful is an uncommon, old-fashioned way to say "really angry." You may tend to be an ireful driver, yelling and gesturing at other cars, or you might write an ireful letter to the editor of a newspaper after reading a badly reported, inaccurate story. When you're ireful, you're full of ire, which comes from Latin and means "wrath, anger, rage, or passion."

Example Sentences

It makes me ireful to think o’ them.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Mrs. Salsify looked lofty, and tossed her carroty head; but her husband had waxed bold in his distress, and could not be intimidated by ireful brows, or pursed-up lips.

From Eventide A Series of Tales and Poems by Afton, Effie

At these ireful words, Nathan's eyes began to widen.

From Nick of the Woods by Bird, Robert M.

"What poisoning doctor did you send?" he asked, with an ireful glance; "I want no doctor, I am not ill; I will not follow his prescription; he forbade me to eat; I will eat."

From International Weekly Miscellany - Volume 1, No. 8, August 19, 1850 by Various

He did not give back a step before her ireful figure.

From Counsel for the Defense by Chapman, Charles M.