adj.
Pronunciation: ' dred-f ə l
Function: adjective
Date: 13th century
1 a : inspiring dread : causing great and oppressive fear <a dreadful storm> b : inspiring awe or reverence <the dreadful sublimity of the mountain peaks>
2 : extremely bad, distasteful, unpleasant, or shocking < dreadful news>
3 : EXTREME < dreadful disorder>
– dread · ful · ly \ -f( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– dread · ful · ness \ -f ə l-n ə s \ noun