Awful

/ˈɔː.fʊl/ · adjective

Meaning

Very bad..

Definitions by Sense

1. Very bad.
2. Exceedingly great; usually applied intensively.
3. (dated) Causing fear or horror; appalling, terrible.
4. (now rare) Awe-inspiring; filling with profound reverence or respect; profoundly impressive.
5. (now rare) Struck or filled with awe or reverence.
6. (obsolete) Terror-stricken.
7. (especially Ireland, with "for") Prone to a particular temptation.
8. Awfully; dreadfully; terribly.

Example Sentences

The smell of my socks is awful.

We saw such an awful film last night that we left the theater before the end.

I have learnt an awful amount today.

Shepard: You seem to know an awful lot about me. Geth: Extranet data sources. Insecure broadcasts. All organic data sent out is received. We watch you.

There was an air of gravity and importance about the garb of the person, and something indescribably odd, I might say awful, in the perfect, stonelike stillness of the figure, that effectually checked the testy comment which had at once risen to the lips of the irritated artist.

At our old pastimes in the hall ⁠We gambol’d, making vain pretence ⁠Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute Shadow watching all.

As I am seen could I but gaze on Thee / Awful in majesty and royal might

God ought not to be commixed in our actions, but with awful reverence, and an attention full of honour and respect.

Synonyms for awful

Antonyms for awful

Related Words

Word Forms

• awfuller
• more awful
• awfullest
• most awful
• awfull
• aweful
• awefull

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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