Dreadful Meaning and Definition
Dreadful
Pronunciation
/ˈdrɛdfəl/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
A thing that is deeply unpleasant, frightening, or repulsive, often causing feelings of fear or anxiety.
Examples
- The haunted house was a dreadful experience for the kids.
- She found the clown’s mask to be dreadfully frightening.
- The dreadful weather made it miserable to go outside.
- The patient dreaded the upcoming surgery.
- The movie was so dreadful that we left midway.
Synonyms
- Frightful
- Appalling
- Abhorrent
- Terrible
Antonyms
- Wonderful
- Delightful
- Magnificent
- Marvelous
Additional Information
Dreadful has been used to describe something that is deeply unpleasant or frightening since the 15th century. The word is often used to convey a strong sense of fear, anxiety, or revulsion.
In modern usage, dreadful is often used in a more exaggerated sense to emphasize the unpleasantness or fearfulness of something.
Etymology
The word dreadful comes from Old English drēdlic, derived from drēd, meaning “fear” or “terror”, and -ful, a suffix forming an adjective.
Usage Notes
Use dreadful to describe something that is deeply unpleasant or frightening. Be cautious not to overuse the word, as it can come across as overly dramatic or melodramatic.
Cultural References
Dreadful has been used in various cultural references, including literature, music, and film. For example, the phrase “dreadful deed” is often used in Gothic horror stories.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include dreadful include:
- “Dreadful luck”
- “Dreadful sight”
- “Dreadful fate”
Related Words or Phrases
Some related words or phrases that include dreadful include:
- Appalling
- Frightful
- Terrible
- Abhorrent
Collocations
Some common collocations of dreadful include:
- “Dreadful weather”
- “Dreadful job”
- “Dreadful news”
- “Dreadful experience”
Frequency of Use
Dreadful is a relatively common word in modern language, often used in informal contexts to describe something unpleasant or frightening.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of dreadful include:
- Dradel
- Dradful
- Drudful
- Drufel