penny dreadful

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See synonyms for penny dreadful on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural penny dreadfuls.Chiefly British.

a cheap, sensational novel of adventure, crime, or violence; dime novel.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of penny dreadful

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby penny dreadful

penny arcade, Penny Black, pennyboy, penny candy, pennycress, penny dreadful, penny-farthing, penny loafer, penny pincher, penny-pinching, penny post

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use penny dreadful in a sentence

Bloody as it is, Penny Dreadful is also rather beautiful, owing to some spectacular set design and spot-on horror imagery.
‘Penny Dreadful’ Is a Shameless Orgy of Blood, Gore, and Scary Fun|Kevin Fallon|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mother doesnt allow me to read any penny-dreadful story papers, magazines or books.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
"Some lazy loafer reading a penny dreadful," I thought, glancing at him, then at the title of his book.
In Search of the Unknown|Robert W. Chambers
If this were done, literature of the "penny dreadful" description would to a great extent be excluded.
How to be Happy Though Married|E. J. Hardy.

The wildest flight of fancy of an irresponsible novelist had never created such a character in penny-dreadful fiction.
The Dark Star|Robert W. Chambers
Transcriber's Note: This book was originally published in "penny dreadful" form.
Varney the Vampire|Thomas Preskett Prest

British Dictionary definitions for penny dreadful

penny-dreadful

noun plural -fuls

British informal a cheap, often lurid or sensational book or magazine

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