dire

Everyday

1. Dire means very serious or terrible, often dangerous. tree →
2. Dire needs or situations are extremely urgent. tree →
3. (UK, informal) Dire means very bad or of low quality. tree →

In the lessons

In the news and in stories, dire describes disasters, warnings and danger: «dire warning», «in dire need», «dire straits» (a very difficult situation). In UK everyday talk, a film or a meal can be «dire» meaning awful. Common phrases: «in dire need of», «dire straits», «dire consequences», «dire warning», «absolutely dire».

Examples

• The village was in dire need of clean water after the flood. tree →
• The scientists gave a dire warning about the melting ice. tree →
• If you break the rules, there will be dire consequences, the wizard said. tree →
• After losing his job, the family was in dire straits. tree →
• That film was absolutely dire — I fell asleep. tree →
• The weather was dire all weekend. tree →
• The lost sailors were in a dire situation. tree →
• It was a high compliment to Peter that at that dire moment their thoughts turned to him. tree →

Note

Comparative direr and superlative direst are rare; people say «more dire». Do not confuse with «dyer» (someone who dyes cloth). The informal «dire» meaning «rubbish» is mostly British.