Meaning of dreadful in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈdrɛdfəl/

   US accent

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   UK accent

   How to pronounce dreadful in British English, in context ▾
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1. Classifying Adjective

   dreadful

   Definitions

   1. causing fear or dread or terror

   Examples

   • « the awful war »
   • « an awful risk »
   • « dire news »
   • « a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked »
   • « the dread presence of the headmaster »
   • « polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was »
   • « a dreadful storm »
   • « »

   Synonyms

   • alarming
2. 2. exceptionally bad or displeasing

   Examples

   • « atrocious taste »
   • « abominable workmanship »
   • « an awful voice »
   • « dreadful manners »
   • « a painful performance »
   • « terrible handwriting »
   • « an unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room »

   Synonyms

   • bad
3. 3. very unpleasant

   Synonyms

   • unpleasant