dismal

[ diz-muhl ]

adjective

1. causing gloom or dejection; gloomy; dreary; cheerless; melancholy:

   dismal weather.

   Antonyms: gay, cheerful

2. characterized by ineptness or lack of skill, competence, effectiveness, imagination, or interest; pitiful:

   Our team played a dismal game.

   Synonyms: dreadful, abysmal, hopeless

3. Obsolete.
   1. disastrous; calamitous.
   2. unlucky; sinister.

noun

1. Southern U.S. a tract of swampy land, usually along the coast.

dismal

/ ˈdɪzməl /

adjective

1. causing gloom or depression
2. causing dismay or terror
3. of poor quality or a low standard; feeble

Derived Forms

• ˈdismalness, noun
• ˈdismally, adverb

Other Words From

• dismal·ly adverb
• dismal·ness dis·mali·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismal¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English dismale “unlucky time,” dismol day one of two days in each month considered unlucky (hence later taken as adjective), from Anglo-French dis mal, from Medieval Latin diēs malī, literally, “evil days”; diary ( def ), mal- ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismal¹

C13: from dismal (noun) list of 24 unlucky days in the year, from Medieval Latin diēs malī bad days, from Latin diēs day + malus bad

Example Sentences

We do not know what 2025 will bring and forecasts of doom could well be punctured by the mere dismal reality of gross incompetence; the future may just be dumb.

From Salon

Despite claims on social media that the 4B movement is behind South Korea’s dismal fertility rate, there is little evidence to back this up.

From Los Angeles Times

It may even spur them to make diplomatic overtures on broader issues; Iran’s currency, the rial, already in dismal shape, dropped precipitously the day after the American election.

From Slate

With a recent history of dismal final quarters, the prospect of an England comeback was not supported by the stats.

From BBC

The series defeat follows a 3-2 loss to Australia in September and another away loss against West Indies last winter, which came after their dismal defence of the 50-over world title won in 2019.

From BBC

Related Words

• depressing
• dim
• discouraging
• disheartening
• dull
• ghastly
• horrible
• horrid
• miserable
• murky
• sad