dismal
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈdɪzməl/
KK: /ˈdɪzməl/
adjective
Definition
Causing a feeling of sadness or hopelessness; very bad or poor in quality.
Example
The team's performance was dismal, leading to their loss in the championship.
Comparatives & Superlatives
Comparative: dismaller
Superlative: dismallest
Conversation
How was the movie you saw last night?
Honestly, it was pretty dismal; I expected more from it.
That's too bad! I hate when a film turns out to be so dismal.
Yeah, I was really looking forward to it, but it just fell flat.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
dreary
gloomy
bleak
Antonyms
cheerful
bright
promising
noun
Definition
Not a valid English word.
Example
Not available
Conversation
Have you ever heard of a dismal swamp before?
Yeah, I think I've seen it in some documentaries.
I read that they can be really interesting ecosystems, despite the dismal name.
Root Explanation
Dismal → It is formed from the prefix "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and the root "mal" (from Latin "malus", meaning bad). The word "dismal" originally described a state that is bad or gloomy, suggesting a sense of separation from brightness or joy.
Memory Tip
Think of 'bad' ('mal') and 'apart' ('dis-') to remember that 'dismal' means a state that feels gloomy or bad.
Visually Confused Words
ismal
bedismal
distal
discal
diosma
disanimal
disa
dial