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Definition of abysmal

abysmal

/əˈbɪz.məl/
a · bys · mal
Adverb:abysmally
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abysmal Lexical Profile

abysmal Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Extremely bad, appalling, or of a shockingly low standard.

Example

"The company reported abysmal quarterly earnings after the product launch failed to attract customers."

2

Profoundly deep, immeasurable, or resembling a bottomless chasm.

Example

"The explorers peered over the icy ledge into the abysmal darkness of the glacier crevasse."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for abysmal
Antonyms
View all antonyms for abysmal

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'abysmal' (meaning extremely bad or profoundly deep) with 'abyssal', which is the scientific term used in oceanography to describe the deepest regions of the ocean floor.

• Rhymes for abysmal

• Nearby Words

abut
abutilon
abuzz
abysmal
abysmally
abyss
abyssal

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-17th century from the archaic noun 'abysm' (via Old French from Late Latin 'abyssimus', a superlative alteration of 'abyssus'), ultimately tracing back to the Ancient Greek 'abyssos', meaning 'bottomless'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Abysmal. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/abysmal
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