Nearby Words
adjective, dir·er, dir·est.
1.
causing or involving great fear or suffering; dreadful; terrible: a dire calamity.
2.
indicating trouble, disaster, misfortune, or the like: dire predictions about the stock market.
3.
urgent; desperate: in dire need of food.
Origin:
1560–70; < Latin dīrus fearful, unlucky
1560–70; < Latin dīrus fearful, unlucky
Related forms
dire·ly, adverb
dire·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Dire
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Example Sentences
- There were some dire moments.
- The result is a lively, opinionated, and timely study of irresponsible politics grappling with a dire economy.
- There is a growing consensus that the situation is dire—and looking bleaker every day.
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
dire
1567, from L. dirus "fearful, awful, boding ill," from Oscan and Umbrian, cognate with Gk. deinos, from PIE base *dwei-.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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