Direful

Pronunciation: /ˈdaɪərfəl/

Definitions of direful

adjective causing fear or dread, terrible

Example Sentences

A1 The movie was so direful that I couldn't finish watching it.

A2 The students were scared of the direful storm approaching.

B1 The direful news of the accident spread quickly through the small town.

B2 The direful consequences of his actions were evident to everyone.

C1 The direful state of the economy required immediate action from the government.

C2 The direful reality of the situation hit him hard as he realized the extent of the damage.

Examples of direful in a Sentence

formal The direful news of the impending economic crisis shook the nation.

informal The direful weather forecast ruined our plans for a picnic.

slang I can't believe the direful mess I got myself into this time.

figurative The direful shadow of war loomed over the region, causing fear and unrest.

Grammatical Forms of direful

• past tense: dired
• plural: direfuls
• comparative: more direful
• superlative: most direful
• present tense: direful
• future tense: will be direful
• perfect tense: have been direful
• continuous tense: is being direful
• singular: direful
• positive degree: direful
• infinitive: to be direful
• gerund: being direful
• participle: direful

Origin and Evolution of direful

First Known Use: 1400 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The word 'direful' originated from Middle English, derived from the Old French word 'derefule' which means full of dread or causing great fear.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'direful' has retained its original meaning of causing great fear or dread, and is still used in modern English to describe something extremely alarming or terrible.