woefully

adverb

woe·​ful·​ly

variants or less commonly wofully

-f(ə)lē, 

-li

: in a woeful manner : mournfully, wretchedly, deplorably

these reports were woefully inadequate

—Vera M. Dean

fine performances lavished on woefully thin material

—Arthur Knight

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wofully, from woful + -ly

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now