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awful

adj. · adv.
US //ˈɑfəɫ// UK //ˈɔːfəl// aw·ful
  1. 1 very bad (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    extremely bad, unpleasant, or of very low quality.

    extremely disagreeable, objectionable, or of poor quality. While historically related to 'awe', it is now almost exclusively used for negative evaluation.

    Example

    The weather was awful yesterday, so we stayed inside all day.

    Example

    The service at the restaurant was truly awful, with long delays and cold food that left the entire party disappointed.
  2. 2 large amount (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    used to emphasize that an amount or number is very large.

    used as an intensifier to denote a large or significant quantity or degree.

    Example

    It took an awful lot of work to finish the project on time.

    Example

    The renovation cost an awful lot of money, far exceeding the initial budget set by the homeowners.
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  1. 3 very (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal American English

    very or extremely.

    functioning as an intensifier equivalent to 'very' or 'extremely'.

    Example

    That was an awful long movie, but I enjoyed it.

    Example

    The traffic was moving awful slow this morning, making most of the staff late for the meeting.

    Usage

    Usually placed before an adjective.
    Pitfall
    He is awful nice.
    He is awfully nice.

    In formal writing, use the adverb 'awfully'. Using 'awful' as an adverb is common only in casual, spoken English.

  2. 4 awe-inspiring (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    something that makes you feel great respect or a little fear because it is so powerful.

    inspiring awe, profound reverence, or solemn dread. This sense is largely restricted to older literature and religious contexts.

    Example

    The mountain peak was an awful sight in the middle of the storm.

    Example

    The poet described the awful majesty of the ocean, capturing both its terrifying power and its immense beauty.

    Teacher's tip

    Modern speakers use 'awesome' for this meaning; 'awful' in modern English is almost always negative.
Origin

From Middle English agheful, awfull, auful, aȝefull, equivalent to awe + -ful. Compare Old English eġeful, eġefull (“terrifying; awful”). The “very bad” sense is a pejorative semantic shift from the original sense of “awe-inspiring”.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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