dire
Dire (adj) means Extremely serious or urgent, often warning of disaster. Example: “The country is in dire need of humanitarian aid.”
How to use dire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery serious, urgent, or alarming — or, informally, just very bad.
Word forms
direr comparative, more dire comparative, Dires plural, direst superlative, most dire superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The country is in _____ need of humanitarian aid.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dīrus, meaning "fearful" or "ominous."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for dire
See all rhymes for dire →Frequently asked questions
What does “dire” mean?
The word “dire” means extremely serious or urgent, often warning of disaster. In plain terms, very serious, urgent, or alarming — or, informally, just very bad.
How do you pronounce “dire”?
“Dire” is pronounced DEYE-uh (/ˈdaɪ̯ə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “dire” in a sentence?
Here is “dire” used in a sentence: “The country is in dire need of humanitarian aid.”
What part of speech is “dire”?
“Dire” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dire” come from?
The word “dire” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin dīrus, meaning "fearful" or "ominous.".
Is “dire” a common word?
“Dire” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dire” have?
“Dire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely serious or urgent, often warning of disaster.
What is the difference between dire and severe?
Dire emphasizes urgency and impending disaster, often describing situations that demand immediate action, such as dire consequences or dire warnings. Severe describes intensity or harshness without necessarily implying the same sense of crisis or looming catastrophe.
What does dire mean in informal British usage?
In informal usage, especially in British English, dire can simply mean extremely bad in quality, such as a dire film or dire weather. This casual sense is milder than the formal meaning of dire as signaling serious danger or disaster.
What kinds of nouns commonly follow dire?
Dire frequently collocates with words like consequences, warning, straits, need, and situation, reflecting its core meaning of extreme seriousness or urgency. These set phrases, such as dire straits or dire need, are common in both spoken and written English.