dreadfully
Americanadverb
-
in a dreadful way.
The pain has increased dreadfully.
-
very; extremely.
Sorry to be so dreadfully late.
adverb
-
in a shocking, or disagreeable manner
-
(intensifier)
you're dreadfully kind
Etymology
Origin of dreadfully
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure tweeted: "Dreadfully sad. Lovely man. Thoughts go out to his family and friends."
From BBC • Dec. 24, 2016
Dreadfully sad of course, and you know him well enough to go and see him in bed?
From Lady Connie by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.
Dreadfully frightened, he hid his head under the bedclothes, determined to go to sleep and think about nothing till next day.
From The Adventures of A Brownie As Told to My Child by Miss Mulock by Craik, Dinah Maria Mulock
Dreadfully confusing, of course, till you have been through them once, and afterwards as easy to thread as a big packing-needle.
From Hunting the Skipper The Cruise of the "Seafowl" Sloop by Piffard, Harold
Dreadfully frightened, the poor little lady clung close to her husband.
From Devil Stories An Anthology by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
