dreadful

[US]/ˈdredfl/
[UK]/ˈdredfl/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. causing great fear or suffering; extremely unpleasant

Phrases & Collocations

dreadful mistake

Example Sentences

there's been a dreadful accident.

you're a dreadful flirt.

a truly dreadful song.

dreadful table manners; this dreadful heat.

a dreadful sell-out of their cause

like as a ship with dreadful storm long tossed.

There was a dreadful shindy in the pub last night.

I was basically a dreadful coward.

He told me a dreadful story.

I'm afraid it's all a dreadful mistake.

she was a woman of uninspiring appearance and a dreadful bore to boot.

The peaceful sunset gentled her dreadful mood.

he suddenly went cold with a dreadful certainty.

I feel dreadful—I hate myself.

why did you tell him such a dreadful fib?.

dreadful in its literal sense, full of dread.

he was seized by the most dreadful fear.

as a young man, he had a dreadful stammer.

he smelled of carbolic soap, a dreadful turn-off.

Real-world Examples

The service was dreadful. The lobster was inedible.

Source: Desperate Housewives (Audio Version) Season 3

" Dreadful, dreadful, " said Ernie, shaking his head pompously.

Source: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Secrecy fosters suspicions that the contents are dreadful.

Source: The Economist - International

667. The dreadful tread on the meadow broke the deadly deadlock.

Source: Remember 7000 graduate exam vocabulary in 16 days.

So builds the dreadful climax and dark denouement of this brilliant narrative.

Source: The Economist - Arts

Oh, God, no. The food is dreadful here.

Source: Deadly Women

The consequences of this decision could be dreadful.

Source: Fastrack IELTS Speaking High Score Secrets

Crying something dreadful, ” he said happily.

Source: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

But he was a dreadful little man.

Source: What it takes: Celebrity Interviews

" No! It is dreadful, I assure you" .

Source: Madame Bovary (Part One)

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