Dread"ful (?), a. 1. Full of dread or terror; fearful. [Obs.] "With dreadful heart." Chaucer.

2. Inspiring dread; impressing great fear; fearful; terrible; as, a dreadful storm. " Dreadful gloom." Milton.

For all things are less dreadful than they seem.

3. Inspiring awe or reverence; awful. [Obs.] "God's dreadful law." Shak.

Syn. -- Fearful; frightful; terrific; terrible; horrible; horrid; formidable; tremendous; awful; venerable. See Frightful.

• Causing dread; bad.