awfully
- 01 B1 Intermediate
you use this to emphasize an adjective, usually to say something is 'very' or 'extremely'.
used as an intensifier to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.
Simple“I am awfully sorry for the delay in getting back to you.”
In context“The weather was awfully cold during the summit, forcing the climbers to retreat to the base camp earlier than planned.”
UsageTypically precedes the adjective or adverb it modifies.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
in a way that is very bad, unpleasant, or unsuccessful.
in a very poor, unpleasant, or unsuccessful manner.
Simple“The team played awfully and lost the game by four goals.”
In context“The interview went awfully, as the candidate struggled to answer even the most basic technical questions regarding the role.”
UsageUsually follows the verb it modifies.
Antonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
in a way that makes you feel great respect, wonder, or even a little fear.
in a manner that inspires awe, solemnity, or profound respect.
Simple“The mountain range rose awfully against the dark purple sky.”
In context“The cathedral's interior was awfully grand, its vaulted ceilings disappearing into the shadows of the evening.”
Teacher's tipThis original sense is rare today; modern speakers almost exclusively use the word as an intensifier or to mean 'badly'.
Synonymssublimelymajestically
From awful + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.