dreadfully

[dred-fuh-lee]

adverb

1. in a dreadful way.

   The pain has increased dreadfully.

2. very; extremely.

   Sorry to be so dreadfully late.

dreadfully

/ ˈdrɛdfʊlɪ /

adverb

1. in a shocking, or disagreeable manner

2. (intensifier)

   you're dreadfully kind

Word History and Origins

Origin of dreadfully¹

1275–1325; Middle English. See dreadful, -ly

Example Sentences

While not solely to blame for their dreadfully poor domestic campaigns, injuries have certainly hampered both clubs.

From BBC

“When you get such interesting and amusing film roles, it doesn’t seem dreadfully exciting to be in the 257th revival of ‘The Rivals,’” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Drab, laborious and dreadfully predictable, the Bianconeri promised change but seem to be delivering much of the same, with fewer positive results.

From BBC

Andrew Moll, the chief inspector of Marine Accidents, said it was a "cruel lesson of how rapidly things can go dreadfully wrong".

From BBC

The BBC approached Michael Ward at the Harrods headquarters and he said: "I am very dreadfully sorry for what has happened with Al Fayed."

From BBC

Related Words

• disturbingly www.thesaurus.com
• horribly 
• shockingly www.thesaurus.com
• terribly