Direful

Origin

From dire + -ful.

Full definition of direful

Adjective

1. Fearful, terrible.
• 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, VI.11:read what destiny
  Or other dyrefull hap from heaven or hell
  Hath wrought this wicked deed ….
• 1603-06, William Shakespeare, Macbeth, I.2:"As whence the sun gins his reflection, shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break."

Derived terms

• direfully
• direfulness

Synonyms

• dire