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

“Yes. Many times we slipped away at the eleventh hour. We missed you dreadfully, Penny, but there seemed no way to contact you without putting you in danger.”

Read more on Literature

If “The Black Phone” dabbles in crimes that are taboo and is even unforgivable in its depiction of brutality against innocent children, “Black Phone 2” commits its own unforgivable crime of being dreadfully boring.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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