dire
English
/ˈdaɪ̯ə(ɹ)/
adj
Definitions
- Warning of bad consequences: ill-boding; portentous.
- Requiring action to prevent bad consequences: urgent, pressing.
- Expressing bad consequences: dreadful; dismal
- (informal) Bad in quality, awful, terrible.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dīrus (fearful, ominous).
Origin
Latin
dīrus
Gloss
fearful, ominous