# woefully

/ˈwoʊfəɫi/ (US) · /wˈəʊfəli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/woefully
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

in a way that shows you are very unhappy, worried, or not doing well. It can also describe something that is much too small or not enough for what you need.

For teachers: in a manner that expresses deep distress, regret, or a lack of adequacy. Often used to describe a state of being insufficient or inadequate for a specific purpose.

## Examples

- The team performed woefully in the final match.
- The charity is woefully underfunded and cannot provide enough food for the growing population.
- The government's response to the crisis was woefully inadequate, failing to address the immediate needs of the displaced families while the situation continued to deteriorate.

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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.