dire
adjective /ˈdaɪə(r)/
/ˈdaɪər/
(comparative direr, superlative direst)
- [usually before noun] (formal) very serious
- They were living in dire poverty.
- dire warnings/threats
- Such action may have dire consequences.
- We're in dire need of your help.
- The firm is in dire straits (= in a very difficult situation) and may go bankrupt.
- (British English, informal) very bad
- The acting was dire.
- The weather was absolutely dire.
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from Latin dirus ‘fearful, threatening’.