awfully
very; extremely: That was awfully nice of you. He's awfully slow.
in a manner provoking censure, disapproval, or the like: She behaved awfully all evening.
Archaic.
in a manner inspiring awe: shouting awfully the dreaded curse.
in a manner expressing awe: to stare awfully.
Origin of awfully
1confusables note For awfully
Words Nearby awfully
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use awfully in a sentence
Yes, the message of the commercial was that our lives are all rich in experiences, but there’s something awfully tone-deaf and insensitive about that “billionaire” framing amid an economic crisis.
The 5 worst Super Bowl commercials, from Dolly Parton’s betrayal to that awkward Oatly jingle | Maura Judkis, Sonia Rao | February 8, 2021 | Washington PostIt arrives feeling off-topic, thematically troubled and awfully depressing.
Bryan Cranston returns to TV in ‘Your Honor,’ but this grim tale is easily dismissed | Hank Stuever | December 4, 2020 | Washington PostI’ve been awfully lucky in my career to be exposed to many extraordinary thinkers and many situations that have been truly mind-expanding.
Five Scientists on the Heroes Who Changed Their Lives - Issue 93: Forerunners | Alan Lightman, Hope Jahren, Robert Sapolsky, | December 2, 2020 | NautilusRight now they’re reeling, and last year seems awfully long ago.
What to know from NFL Week 11: Carson Wentz looks lost, and Taysom Hill is just getting started | Adam Kilgore | November 23, 2020 | Washington PostBeing the bad guy, if done right and for the right reasons, can feel awfully good.
Carolyn Hax: How to tell Dad that you want to dispense with the unpleasantries | Carolyn Hax | November 6, 2020 | Washington Post
I covered New York politics for 15 years, and I saw some awfully tense moments between the police and Democratic politicians.
The NY Police Union’s Vile War with Mayor De Blasio | Michael Tomasky | December 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut there is much more to this story, some of which will seem awfully familiar.
For Ricky Jackson, a Just Verdict—But 39 Years Too Late | Cliff Schecter | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMatt and Daniel come awfully close, however, to having a pretty good guess at what the next few years will bring.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey can be unmade by judicial fiat, but it feels awfully cruel to do so.
But warplanes from the U.S.-led coalition came awfully close to striking one of their HQs.
Exclusive: America’s Allies Almost Bombed in Syrian Airstrikes | Josh Rogin | September 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnother time she might have smiled at the thought as fanciful: it seemed awfully real now.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodThey say he was awfully wild and reckless at that time, and Liszt paid his debts over and over again.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayBecause, if you were never unkind to her, like Nurse said you were, she'll be most awfully glad to see you again.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. Williamson"Mother would be awfully cross if you walked through that ditch," says Judy, continuing a conversation.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingShe just told me so, and she showed me the papers and said there were awfully hard questions in them.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage | Gertrude W. Morrison
British Dictionary definitions for awfully
/ (ˈɔːfəlɪ, ˈɔːflɪ) /
in an unpleasant, bad, or reprehensible manner
informal (intensifier): I'm awfully keen to come
archaic so as to express or inspire awe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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