English vocabulary · B2
Dismal
/ˈdɪzməl/ · adj.
It means a state of being very gloomy, sad, or describing truly bad weather.
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Example sentences
- The dismal rain ruined our picnic.
- His dismal score made him very sad.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- dies — day (from Latin)
- mal — bad (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- gloomy (a mood or atmosphere is dark and heavy)
- bleak (hope seems completely absent)
- dreary (dullness makes everything feel lifeless)
Words with the same root
dies — day
- diary — a daily record of events, from dies (day)
- diurnal — relating to or active during the day
Lesson notes
Dismal. It means a state of being very gloomy, sad, or describing truly bad weather.
Similar words are gloomy, bleak, and dreary. Use dismal when you feel sad.
The dismal rain ruined our picnic. His dismal score made him very sad.
Think: dismal sounds like this mall. If you are lost in this mall, you feel dismal. That feeling is dismal.