Main Entry: dire

Pronunciation: \ˈdī(-ə)r\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): dir·er; dir·est

Etymology: Latin dirus; akin to Greek deinos terrifying, Sanskrit dveṣṭi he hates

Date: 1565

1 a : exciting horror <dire suffering> b : dismal, oppressive <dire days>
2 : warning of disaster <a dire forecast>
3 a : desperately urgent <dire need> b : extreme <dire poverty>

— dire·ly adverb

— dire·ness noun