好词典

dire

UK //ˈdaɪə(r)//US //ˈdaɪr//

词源

源自拉丁语 'dirus',意为“可怕的”或“不祥的”,后经古法语进入英语。

adjective

❶ 形容情况极其严重或危险,带有紧迫性和灾难性,常用于描述极端恶劣的处境或后果。

“The country is facing dire economic consequences due to the war.”

(由于战争,该国正面临极其严重的经济后果。)

“The doctor gave a dire warning about the patient's condition.”

(医生对病人的状况发出了严峻的警告。)

同义词:terrible, dreadful, awful, catastrophic, grave

常见短语

in dire straits — 形容处于极其困难或危险的境地,通常指经济或生存上的严重困境。

“After losing his job, he found himself in dire straits.”

(失业后,他发现自己陷入了极度困境。)