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Definition of dismal

dismal

/ˈdɪz.məl/
dis · mal
Adverb:dismally
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dismal Lexical Profile

dismal Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing or showing a mood of gloom, depression, or dreariness.

Example

"We walked home through the cold, dismal rain after the match was canceled."

2

Pitifully or disgracefully bad in quality, performance, or outcome.

Example

"The company reported dismal sales figures for the third consecutive quarter."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for dismal

• Nearby Words

disloyal
disloyally
disloyalty
dismal
dismally
dismalness
dismantle

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman disconfit or Old French disme ('tenth')? Actually from Anglo-Norman dis mal, from Medieval Latin dies mali ('evil or unlucky days'), referring to two days in each month believed by medieval astrologers to be particularly unfavorable.

Cite this Entry

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