dire

Short definition from Wiktionary

Adjective

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

Proper noun

1. 1
   A surname.