Dictionary
1awful
adjective aw·ful \ˈȯ-fəl\
: extremely bad or unpleasant
: causing feelings of fear and wonder
Full Definition of AWFUL
1
: inspiring awe
3
: extremely disagreeable or objectionable <awful food>
4
: exceedingly great —used as an intensive <an awful lot of money>
— aw·ful·ly \ˈȯ-fə-lē, especially as adv of adjective senses 3 & 4 -flē\ adverb
— aw·ful·ness \-fəl-nəs\ noun
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See awful defined for kids
Usage Discussion of AWFUL
Many grammarians take issue with the senses of awful and awfully that do not convey the etymological connection with awe. However, senses 3 and 4 of the adjective were used in speech and casual writing by the late 18th century <it is an awful while since you have heard from me — John Keats (letter)> <there was an awful crowd — Sir Walter Scott (letter)> <this is an awful thing to say to oil painters — William Blake>. Adverbial use of awful as an intensifier began to appear in print in the early 19th century, as did the senses of awfully corresponding to senses 3 and 4 of the adjective. Both adverbs remain in widespread use <a sad state of affairs and awful tough on art — H. L. Mencken> <the awfully rich young American — Henry James> <decided to play it so awfully safe — A. M. Schlesinger b1917>.
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First Known Use of AWFUL
13th century
Related to AWFUL
- Synonyms
- abhorrent, abominable, appalling, offensive, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
- Antonyms
- innocuous, inoffensive
2awful
adverb
: very or extremely
Full Definition of AWFUL
See awful defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of AWFUL
1818
Related to AWFUL
- Synonyms
- achingly, almighty, archly, very, awfully, badly, beastly, blisteringly, bone, colossally, corking, cracking, damn, damned, dang, deadly, desperately, eminently, enormously, especially, ever, exceedingly (also exceeding), extra, extremely, fabulously, fantastically, far, fiercely, filthy, frightfully, full, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, immensely, incredibly, intensely, jolly, majorly, mightily, mighty, monstrous [chiefly dialect], mortally, most, much, particularly, passing, rattling, real, really, right, roaring, roaringly, seriously, severely, so, sore, sorely, spanking, specially, stinking, such, super, supremely, surpassingly, terribly, that, thumping, too, unco, uncommonly, vastly, vitally, way, whacking, wicked, wildly
- Antonyms
- little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, somewhat
AWFUL Defined for Kids
1awful
adjective aw·ful \ˈȯ-fəl\
Definition of AWFUL for Kids
1
: extremely bad or unpleasant <an awful cold> <Rodrick's band is REALLY awful, and I can't stand being home when they're having rehearsals. — Jeff Kinney, Wimpy Kid>
2
: very much <We have an awful lot to do.>
3
: causing fear or terror <an awful roar>
2awful
adverb
Definition of AWFUL for Kids
: awfully <That's an awful dangerous stunt.>
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