Dire
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈdaɪ̯ə(ɹ)/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Dire is an adjective meaning Warning of bad consequences: ill-boding; portentous.
Meaning
Warning of bad consequences: ill-boding; portentous.
More Meanings
- Requiring action to prevent bad consequences: urgent, pressing.
- Expressing bad consequences: dreadful; dismal.
- (informal) Bad in quality, awful, terrible.
- (fantasy, gaming) Ferocious and of intimidating appearance, like a dire wolf.
Example Sentences
dire need (of)
dire consequences; to be in dire straits
His dire blunder allowed her to checkmate him with her next move.
And, of course, overlooking 1 ... Q-R8 mate, would be a dire mistake.
Word Forms
- direr
- direst
Synonyms for dire
Depending on context, synonyms include foreboding, inauspicious, augurous, baleful, bodeful, boding.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include horrendous, dreadful, terrible, horrific, direful, desperate.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.