I. ˈdred-fəl 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
a dreadful performance
dreadful news
3. : extreme
dreadful disorder
• dread·ful·ly -f(ə-)lē adverb
• dread·ful·ness -fəl-nəs noun
II. noun
Date: circa 1873
: a cheap and sensational story or periodical