# dire

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈdaɪ̯ə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #11,874

## Definitions
1. Warning of bad consequences: ill-boding; portentous.
2. Requiring action to prevent bad consequences: urgent, pressing.
3. Expressing bad consequences: dreadful; dismal.
4. Bad in quality, awful, terrible.
5. Ferocious and of intimidating appearance, like a dire wolf.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dīrus (“fearful, ominous”).

## Easily confused with
- **Dr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dr)
- **due** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-due)
- **dry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dry)
- **doe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-doe)
- **dye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dye)
- **DIY** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-diy)
- **dis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dis)
- **Dre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dre)
- **div** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-div)
- **Dix** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dix)
- **DRC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-drc)
- **DRM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-drm)
- **dit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dit)
- **dor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dor)
- **DNR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dnr)
- **dur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dur)
- **DRI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dri)
- **Dru** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dru)
- **done** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-done)
- **dude** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dire-vs-dude)

## Common misspellings (5)
`ddire`, `dier`, `dirre`, `drie`, `idre`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dire