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Dire Definition & Meaning

dire
adjective
  1. fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; "a desperate illness"; "on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel"- G.C.Marshall; "a dire emergency"
  2. causing fear or dread or terror; "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"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible curse"

"Dire" in song lyrics

See how dire is used in real songs:

  • "Tu vois c'que j'veux dire ?"
    Assassin and Poor Righteous Teachers — Wake Up! (Reveillez-Vous !)
  • "Aujourd'hui, encore on peut entendre des filles dire"
    IAM — Je Danse le Mia
  • "L'envie de dire"
    IAM — Quand Ils Rentraient Chez Eux

Usage tips for "dire"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "dire" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for dire to find words that pair well.

Use "dire" in a verse

Now that you know what "dire" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does dire mean?
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; "a desperate illness"; "on all fronts the Allies were in a desperate situation due to lack of materiel"- G.C.Marshall; "a dire emergency" causing fear or dread or terror; "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"; "a fearful howling"; "horrendous explosions shook the city
What part of speech is dire?
Dire is an adjective.
How many definitions does dire have?
Dire has 2 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

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