dreadful
UK: ˈdredfl | US: ˈdredfl
adj. causing or involving great fear or suffering; terrible
adj. extremely bad or unpleasant
The word "dreadful" originates from Middle English, combining "dread" (from Old English drǣdan, meaning "to fear") and the suffix "-ful" (from Old English -full, meaning "full of"). The root "dread" has Germanic origins, linked to the Proto-Germanic dradaz, conveying a sense of terror or awe. Over time, "-ful" evolved into a productive suffix in English, turning nouns into adjectives denoting abundance or quality. Thus, "dreadful" literally means "full of dread," reflecting its modern sense of inspiring fear or being exceptionally unpleasant.
The storm brought dreadful winds that damaged several houses.
She had a dreadful headache after working all night.
The movie was so dreadful that we left halfway through.
He felt a dreadful sense of guilt after the accident.
The news of the disaster was truly dreadful.