Genuinely horrific, awful, or alarming; dangerous, risky. / (hyperbolic) Unpleasant, awful, very bad (also used as an intensifier). / (obsolete) Awesome, awe-inspiring, causing feelings of reverence.

(informal) Dreadfully.

A shocker: a report of a crime written in a provokingly lurid style. / A journal or broadsheet printing such reports. / A shocking or sensational crime.

present participle of dread

Quality of being dread.

plural of dreadfulness

(originally derogatory, now usually historical) A cheap paperback book, particularly those concerning lurid depictions of crime in the Victorian era.

plural of penny dreadful

plural of dread fascination

A malignant supernatural influence produced by the evil eye. / A response to something characterized by staring, an inability to move or intervene, and feelings of dread.