ˈdī(ə)rfəl, -īəf- adjective
1.
a. : exciting horror or terror : dreadful , frightful , dire
entered upon a career of vengeance so direful that London was shocked — G.W.Johnson
b. : oppressive to feelings or spirit : dismal
the direful sound of air-raid sirens
2. : warning of disaster to come : ominous
seeing himself trapped, he filled the air with direful cries
• dire·ful·ly -f(ə)lē, -li adverb
• dire·ful·ness -fəlnə̇s noun -es