awfully

[aw-fuh-lee, awf-lee]

adverb

1. very; extremely.

   That was awfully nice of you. He's awfully slow.

2. in a manner provoking censure, disapproval, or the like.

   She behaved awfully all evening.

3. Archaic.

   1. in a manner inspiring awe.

      shouting awfully the dreaded curse.

   2. in a manner expressing awe.

      to stare awfully.

awfully

/ ˈɔːflɪ, ˈɔːfəlɪ /

adverb

1. in an unpleasant, bad, or reprehensible manner

2. informal,  (intensifier)

   I'm awfully keen to come

3. archaic,  so as to express or inspire awe

Confusables Note

See awful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of awfully¹

1350–1400; Middle English auefulli; awful, -ly

Example Sentences

Somehow, the tourists need to buck their trend of starting Ashes tours awfully and get out of the opening two on level terms at worst.

From BBC

"It definitely sparked me into life. I didn't want to give it big because I was playing awfully," said Littler.

From BBC

Internet memes suggesting that Cuomo could only make campaign appearances after dark hit awfully close to the mark.

From Salon

They are the Premier League's most in-form team based on the past five games, while it is an awfully long time since Leicester enjoyed a victory full-stop.

From BBC

A few others like the Atomic Energy Agency and the International Civil Aviation Authority would be allowed to remain, which is awfully generous.

From Salon

Related Words

• dreadfully 
• excessively 
• extremely 
• hugely 
• immensely 
• quite 
• terribly 
• truly