Meaning & Definition of Dreadful in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: Causing or involving great suffering, fear, or unhappiness; extremely bad.

  Example Sentence: The weather during our vacation was dreadful.

• Definition: Very bad in quality; awful.

  Example Sentence: His performance in the play was simply dreadful.

• Definition: Used for emphasis; shocking.

  Example Sentence: What a dreadful thing to say!

Etymology

Origin: Middle English: from dread + -ful.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• dreadful night: a night filled with fear or unpleasantness.
• dreadful mistake: a very serious or embarrassing error.
• dreadful weather: extremely bad weather conditions.

Translations

• Spanish: terrible

• French: terrible

• German: schrecklich

• Russian: ужасный

Related Words

• dread: to fear greatly; to be afraid of.

• dreadfully: in a dreadful manner; extremely.

• dreadfulness: the quality of being dreadful.

Slang Meanings of dreadful

• Meaning: really bad or disappointing

  Example Sentence: That movie was so dreadful, I can't believe I wasted two hours on it.

• Meaning: totally uncool

  Example Sentence: Those shoes are dreadful, you need to upgrade your style.