# awfully

/ˈɑfɫi/ (US) · /ˈɔːfəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/awfully
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. very or extremely

adverb · CEFR B1 · Informal

you use this to emphasize an adjective, usually to say something is 'very' or 'extremely'.

For teachers: used as an intensifier to mean 'very' or 'extremely'.

- I am awfully sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
- The weather was awfully cold during the summit, forcing the climbers to retreat to the base camp earlier than planned.

Usage: Typically precedes the adjective or adverb it modifies.

### 2. very badly

adverb · CEFR B1

in a way that is very bad, unpleasant, or unsuccessful.

For teachers: in a very poor, unpleasant, or unsuccessful manner.

- The team played awfully and lost the game by four goals.
- The interview went awfully, as the candidate struggled to answer even the most basic technical questions regarding the role.

Usage: Usually follows the verb it modifies.

### 3. inspiring awe

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

in a way that makes you feel great respect, wonder, or even a little fear.

For teachers: in a manner that inspires awe, solemnity, or profound respect.

- The mountain range rose awfully against the dark purple sky.
- The cathedral's interior was awfully grand, its vaulted ceilings disappearing into the shadows of the evening.

Teaching tip: This original sense is rare today; modern speakers almost exclusively use the word as an intensifier or to mean 'badly'.

## Examples

- The weather is awfully cold today.
- She felt awfully nervous before her first public speech at the community center.
- The landscape was awfully beautiful, with mountains rising sharply against a sky painted in shades of violet and gold.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.