adj.
Pronunciation: ' d ī (- ə )r
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: dir · er ; dir · est
Etymology: Latin dirus; akin to Greek deinos terrifying, Sanskrit dve ș ṭ i 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