Dreadful

I think you forgot to post the quotation?

Oh, sorry. I wanted to post this.

Rarity: Ugh, Heavens no! Just look at it - it's dreadful.

PonyFanCould you tell me whether you use the word 'dreadful' in your daily conversation like the following quotation?

Yes.

Does it sound formal or a bit haughty? Because a character who's willing to say "Heavens no!" uses it.

PonyFanDoes it sound formal or a bit haughty?

No.

PonyFanBecause a character who's willing to say "Heavens no!" uses it.

"Heavens, no!" is not formal or haughty either

GPY"Heavens, no!" is not formal or haughty either

However, this expression is mostly used by a certain type of more refined or polite person. You would not expect to hear it from an inner city teenager.

One of my American friends said that the expression is associated with a stereotype of a rich person or an old upper class lady. So I assumed that it might sound haughty.

PonyFanOne of my American friends said that the expression is associated with a stereotype of a rich person or an old upper class lady.

I guess that is roughly along the lines of my last post, but taking it to a greater extreme. Another thing to bear in mind is that I am from the UK, and there might be slight differences in the usage between the UK and US.

PonyFanOne of my American friends said that the expression is associated with a stereotype of a rich person or an old upper class lady. So I assumed that it might sound haughty.

It is not a rich-poor distinction, but the phrase has gracefully aged out out the youthful circles. It's still common, though.