Dire
/ˈdaɪ̯ə(ɹ)/ adj, name, slang
adj, name, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Warning of bad consequences: ill-boding; portentous.
"dire omens"
- 2 Requiring action to prevent bad consequences: urgent, pressing.
"dire need (of)"
- 3 Expressing bad consequences: dreadful; dismal.
"dire consequences; to be in dire straits"
- 4 Bad in quality, awful, terrible. informal
"His dire blunder allowed her to checkmate him with her next move."
- 5 Ferocious and of intimidating appearance, like a dire wolf.
Adjective
- 1 causing fear or dread or terror wordnet
- 2 fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
More examples"You're always there for me, so if you're ever in dire straits, just let me know and I'll come running."
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dīrus (“fearful, ominous”).