Definition/Meaning of dreadful

• English - Adjective: dreadful ( comparative more dreadful , superlative most dreadful ) Causing dread; very bad . 1900 , L . Frank Baum , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23 "My greatest wish now ," she added , "is to get back to Kansas , for Aunt Em will surely think something dreadful has happened to me , and that will make her put on mourning; and unless the crops are better this year than they were last , I am…
• English - Noun: dreadful ( plural dreadfuls ) A shocking or sensational crime . A shocking or sensational report of a crime . Derived terms penny dreadful References “dreadful” in Douglas Harper , Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).
• English - Alternative forms: dreadfull ( archaic ) dredful ( obsolete )
• English - Etymology: From Middle English dredful , dredeful , equivalent to dread +‎ -ful .
• English - Pronunciation: IPA (key) : /ˈdɹɛd.fʊl/