Basic Details
Word: Dismal
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Gloomy, sad, or miserable; causing a feeling of disappointment.
Synonyms: Gloomy, dreary, bleak, desolate
Antonyms: Bright, cheerful, joyful, happy
Idioms and Phrases
- Dismal science: Refers to economics, often because it involves tough realities and predictions about the economy. Example: "Many find studying economics to be a dismal science, filled with gloomy statistics."
- Down in the dumps: Feeling sad or depressed. Example: "After hearing the bad news, she was down in the dumps all day."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The weather was dismal, with grey clouds and constant rain making everyone feel gloomy.
Example 2: After a disappointing game, the team's mood was dismal and they struggled to smile.
Example 3: The movie was so dismal that I couldn't wait for it to finish; it felt too long and sad.
Fun Fact
The word "dismal" originates from the Latin word "dies mali," which means "evil days," referring to unlucky days in the calendar.
Famous Quote
"The world is full of dismal situations; it takes courage to face them." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "dismal" mean?
a) Bright and cheerful
b) Gloomy and sad
c) Energetic and lively
d) Light and airy
Answer: b) Gloomy and sad
2. Which of these is a synonym of "dismal"?
a) Lively
b) Gloomy
c) Happy
d) Bright
Answer: b) Gloomy
3. Which one is an antonym of "dismal"?
a) Sad
b) Cheerful
c) Bleak
d) Dreary
Answer: b) Cheerful
4. Which sentence uses "dismal" correctly?
a) The dismal sun shined brightly over the park.
b) The report on the environment was dismal and caused much concern.
c) She had a dismal idea for her birthday party, full of fun games.
d) His dismal laughter filled the room with joy.
Answer: b) The report on the environment was dismal and caused much concern.
5. Which phrase means the same as "dismal"?
a) Down in the dumps
b) On cloud nine
c) Walking on sunshine
d) Clear skies ahead
Answer: a) Down in the dumps
