Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

abysmal

/əˈbɪz.məl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.92 in modern English

Syllables: a-bys-mal
IPA: /əˈbɪz.məl/

14

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Pertaining to, or resembling an abyss.

Archaic

adj

Extremely bad; terrible.

Example Sentences

"The latter [geology] gives one the same sort of bewildering view of the abysmal extent of Time that Astronomy does of Space."
"Robben curled an effort against the foot of the post from the edge of the box after being gifted the ball by an abysmal clearance from keeper Stephan Andersen."

Etymology

From abysm + -al. Compare abyssal.

Word Breakdown

Root: *dʰewbʰ-
Suffix: abysm

Usage

Archaic

Inflected Forms

more abysmal (comparative) most abysmal (superlative)

Derived Forms

abysmally

Frequently Paired Words

abyssal

Synonyms

unending profound fathomless immeasurable dreadful atrocious awful appalling

Antonyms

excellent wonderful superb

Rhymes With

dismal baptismal

Questions

How do you pronounce abysmal?: The recorded pronunciation is /əˈbɪz.məl/.
What does abysmal mean?: Pertaining to, or resembling an abyss.
Where does abysmal come from?: From abysm + -al. Compare abyssal.

How to pronounce abysmal

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “abysmal”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈbɪz.məl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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