dire

[ dahyuh r ]
/ daɪər /

adjective, dir·er, dir·est.

causing or involving great fear or suffering; dreadful; terrible: a dire calamity.
indicating trouble, disaster, misfortune, or the like: dire predictions about the stock market.
urgent; desperate: in dire need of food.

Origin of dire

First recorded in 1560–70, dire is from the Latin word dīrus fearful, unlucky

OTHER WORDS FROM dire

dire·ly, adverb dire·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for dire

British Dictionary definitions for dire

dire
/ (daɪə) /

adjective (usually prenominal)

Also: direful disastrous; fearful
desperate; urgent a dire need
foreboding disaster; ominous a dire warning

Derived forms of dire

direly, adverb direness, noun

Word Origin for dire

C16: from Latin dīrus ominous, fearful; related to Greek deos fear