dreadful

1 of 2

adjective

dread·​ful ˈdred-fəl 

1

a

: inspiring dread (see dread entry 2 sense 1a) : causing great and oppressive fear

a dreadful attack

b

: inspiring awe or reverence

2

: extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking

a dreadful idea

a dreadful performance

dreadful behavior

The food was absolutely dreadful.

3

: extreme

dreadful disorder

dreadfully

ˈdred-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

dreadfulness

ˈdred-fəl-nəs 

noun

dreadful

2 of 2

noun

publishing

: a cheap and sensational (see sensational sense 2) story or periodical

Synonyms of dreadful

Adjective

• terrifying
• horrible
• terrible
• formidable
• frightening
• scary

Examples of dreadful in a Sentence

Adjective

Her performance was absolutely dreadful.

Those children have such dreadful manners.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The runners-up/winners of the last Africa Cup of Nations had two dreadful implosions, first against Norway in the group stage before a bizarre collapse when facing Belgium in the round of 32. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

The novel’s climax—a sequence defined by reality-shattering magical spectacle—is narrated by one character to another over FaceTime, a dreadful decision that deflates the entire story. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Noun

Penny dreadfuls, as McMurtry and Fowler note, were developed to cater to a specific youth audience. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026

In 1989, there were 892,055 cases of Guinea worm disease, a dreadful and debilitating waterborne parasitic infection historically endemic to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. — Tony Morley, Time, 28 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see dread entry 1

Noun

see dread entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1873, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dreadful

• penny dreadful

Kids Definition

dreadful

adjective

dread·​ful

ˈdred-fəl

1

: causing dread or awe

a dreadful storm

2

: very disagreeable, unpleasant, or shocking

a dreadful cold

dreadful news

dreadfully

-f(ə-)lē

adverb

dreadfulness

-fəl-nəs

noun