This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
awful
[ aw-fuhl ]
/ ËÉ fÉl /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
extremely bad; unpleasant; ugly: awful paintings; an awful job.
inspiring fear; dreadful; terrible: an awful noise.
solemnly impressive; inspiring awe: the awful majesty of alpine peaks.
full of awe; reverential.
extremely dangerous, risky, injurious, etc.: That was an awful fall she had. He took an awful chance by driving here so fast.
adverb
Informal. very; extremely: He did an awful good job of painting the barn. It's awful hot in here.
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Origin of awful
words often confused with awful
Although some object to any use of awful or awfully in any sense not connected with a feeling of awe, both have been used in other senses for several centuries. Awful and awfully as adverbial intensifiersâ awful ( ly ) hot; awful ( ly ) cold âappear in the early 19th century, following much the same pattern as horribly and dreadfully. As an adverb awful is less formal in tone than awfully. In the sense âinspiring awe or fearâ awesome has largely replaced awful.
OTHER WORDS FROM awful
Words nearby awful
aweless, awesome, awesomesauce, awestruck, aweto, awful, awfully, awhato, awheel, awhile, a while back
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use awful in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for awful
awful
/ (ËÉËfÊl) /
adjective
very bad; unpleasant
archaic inspiring reverence or dread
archaic overcome with awe; reverential
adverb
not standard (intensifier)an awful cold day
Derived forms of awful
awfulness, nounWord Origin for awful
C13: see awe, -ful
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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