IELTS Anvil

dire

CEFR: C1

Extremely serious, urgent, terrible, or dreadful in consequence (e.g. 'dire economic consequences', 'in dire need').

Synonyms

calamitous
grievous
dreadful

Common Collocations

dire consequences
in dire straits
dire need

Example Sentence

The continued departure of skilled women from scientific sectors has dire implications for national technological innovation.

Practice 'dire' in IELTS Anvil ➔

Join free to practice 2,600+ IELTS words with spaced repetition.