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dire

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Dire is defined as something that is urgent.

(adjective)

An example of dire is the warning to evacuate immediately.

The definition of dire is something so bad or scary that it causes distress or terror.

(adjective)

An example of dire the need of a homeless person in winter.

See dire in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective direr, direst

arousing terror or causing extreme distress; dreadful; terrible
calling for quick action; urgent: a dire need

Origin: L dirus, fearful < IE base *dwei-, to fear > Gr deimos, panic

Related Forms:

direly adverb
direness noun

See dire in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective dir·er, dir·est

Warning of or having dreadful or terrible consequences; calamitous: a dire economic forecast; dire threats.
Urgent; desperate: in dire need; dire poverty.

Origin:

Origin: Latin dīrus, fearsome, terrible

Origin: ; akin to Greek deinos

Related Forms:

direˈly adverb

direˈness noun

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