dire
adjective /ˈdaɪə(r)/
/ˈdaɪər/
(comparative direr, superlative direst)
- [usually before noun] (formal) very serious
极其严重的；危急的 - They were living in dire poverty.
他们生活赤贫。 - dire warnings/threats
严重的警告／威胁 - Such action may have dire consequences.
这种行为可能产生严重后果。 - We're in dire need of your help.
我们急需你的帮助。 - The firm is in dire straits (= in a very difficult situation) and may go bankrupt.
这家公司已陷入极度困境之中，可能会破产。
- They were living in dire poverty.
- (British English, informal) very bad
极糟的；极差的 - The acting was dire.
这表演糟透了。 - The weather was absolutely dire.
天气非常糟糕。
- The acting was dire.
词源mid 16th cent.: from Latin dirus ‘fearful, threatening’.