dreadful

dread-ful · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Causing or involving great suffering, fear, or unhappiness; extremely bad or serious.

  2. 2.

    (informal) Extremely disagreeable or of very poor quality.

  3. 3.

    (archaic) Inspiring awe or dread.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    feel dreadful — to feel very unwell or guilty
  • •
    dreadful shame — a great pity
  • •
    penny dreadful — a cheap, sensational novel or story

Related words

Antonyms: delightful, pleasant, wonderful
See also: awful, dread, terrible
Synonyms: awful, horrible, terrible

Etymology

From dread + -ful, from Old English ondraedan ("to fear").