awfully

adverb

aw·​ful·​ly ˈȯ-fə-lē 

especially as an adverb of adjective sense 2 -flē

1

: exceedingly, extremely, very

—used as an intensive

an awfully long time

That's awfully nice of you.

Her name seems awfully familiar.

Technically, it's not bribery, but it's awfully close.

—Elizabeth Drew

"I suppose you think me awfully foolish about it?"

—Oscar Wilde

2

a

dated : in a way that inspires awe

… the drawing room in which New York's most chosen company was somewhat awfully assembled.

—Edith Wharton

b

archaic : with a feeling of awe

And timorous passed, and awfully withdrew.

—Alexander Pope, translation The Odyssey of Homer

3

: in an unpleasant, disagreeable, or objectionable way

We were treated awfully.

The team played awfully.

… he of the red nightcap now commenced snoring awfully …

—George Borrow

Examples of awfully in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If anything, Trump’s escalating attempts to strong-arm people into a supposedly nicer term for AI makes him — and the industry itself — look awfully weak. — Adi Robertson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026

But the original Best R&B Album category still carries its own sense of cachet, and this year’s field should include some awfully heavy hitters. — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026

In Bowers, tight end Travis Kelce may be looking in the mirror at his younger self, though the soon-to-be 37-year-old has looked awfully spry himself during the first three games of the season. — Pete Sweeney october 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

But 46 votes to Williams’ 20 and Wilson’s four looks like a media corps that was awfully eager to give itself something to celebrate. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for awfully

• sawfly

Kids Definition

awfully

adverb

aw·​ful·​ly

usually ˈȯ-fə-lē

in sense 1, ˈȯ-flē

in sense 2

1

: in a disagreeable or unpleasant manner

2

: very entry 2 sense 1

awfully nice of you