dire

dire · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Extremely serious or urgent.

  2. 2.

    Warning of or having dreadful consequences.

  3. 3.

    Of very poor quality (British informal).

Related words

Antonyms: hopeful, minor, trivial
See also: desperate, grave, serious, urgent
Synonyms: desperate, dreadful, grave, serious, urgent

Etymology

From Latin dirus meaning "fearful, awful, ominous." Entered English in the 16th century, maintaining its sense of severity and urgency.