awful

1 of 2

adjective

aw·​ful ˈȯ-fəl 

1

: extremely disagreeable or objectionable

awful food

awful behavior

an awful experience

2

informal : exceedingly great

—used as an intensive

an awful lot of money

3

: inspiring awe

… the presence of Nature in all her awful loveliness.

—George Eliot

4

: filled with awe: such as

a

: deeply respectful or reverential

b

obsolete : afraid, terrified

awfully

ˈȯ-fə-lē 

 especially as an adverb of adjective senses 3 and 4  -flē

adverb

an awfully [=extremely] long time

behaving awfully

awfulness

ˈȯ-fəl-nəs 

noun

Using Awful as an Adjective and Adverb: Usage Guide

Some grammarians take issue with the senses of awful and awfully that do not convey the etymological connection with awe. However, senses 1 and 2 of the adjective were being used in speech and casual writing by the late 18th century.

It is an awful while since you have heard from me …

—John Keats (letter)

There was an awful crowd …

—Sir Walter Scott (letter)

This is an awful thing to say to Oil Painters …

—William Blake

Adverbial use of awful as an intensifier began to appear in print in the early 19th century, as did the senses of awfully corresponding to senses 1 and 2 of the adjective. Awfully continues to enjoy widespread use in newspapers and the like.

It is worth remembering that the vote in the Senate about the Gulf War was an awfully close 53 to 47 …

—James P. Rubin

"Let the good times roll" can be an awfully alluring philosophy …

—Rod Dreher

The adverb awful, on the other hand, is largely restricted to informal prose and to the spoken language it emulates and is chiefly an American use.

I tell them that seven years is an awful long time.

—Kenneth Feinberg

Awful quiet out there, I thought. Disquietingly quiet.

—Mike Sutter

"There are some awful good golfers playing in the tournament this week," observed Cook.

—George Geise

awful

2 of 2

adverb

chiefly US, informal

: very, extremely

awful tired

an awful long time

Synonyms

Adjective

• horrible
• ugly
• disgusting
• hideous
• sickening
• dreadful
• shocking
• obscene
• obnoxious
• offensive
• nasty

Adverb

• terribly
• extremely
• incredibly
• very
• damned
• damn
• badly
• too
• so
• highly
• really
• severely
• desperately
• seriously
• jolly
• that
• super
• greatly

Examples of awful in a Sentence

Adjective

They heard the most awful sounds.

Awful things began to happen.

He has some awful disease.

That joke is just awful.

That's an awful thing to say.

Who painted the house that awful color?

The mountains have an awful majesty.

Adverb

We haven't heard from him in an awful long time.

You've come an awful long way.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The cuts that have been made are awful, and because of the situation in the government, so much of their funding has been lost. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025

Hurricane Melissa’s devastation is the awful alchemy created by the unique combination of unstoppable gusts, seawater that is forced inland and deluge that pours out of the sky, all interacting with the landscape and human lives the storm found in its path. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025

Adverb

Someone who has worked awful hard, has a great skill set, four years of college, four years of lifting, four years of game-planning at a high level in Division III. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2022

First, there is the question whether the awful-looking restraint maneuver Chauvin used was actually authorized at the time, or at least not clearly forbidden. —D.j. Tice, Star Tribune, 20 Feb. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English aghful, awful "frightful, terrifying, commanding great respect, worthy of reverence," from aw, awe "terror, dread, extreme reverence" + -ful -ful entry 1 — more at awe entry 1

Adverb

derivative of awful entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

1816, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing awful

• an awful lot
• an awful lot of
• god-awful

Rhymes for awful

• lawful
• offal
• waffle
• unlawful

Kids Definition

awful

1 of 2 adjective

aw·​ful ˈȯ-fəl 

1

: awesome sense 2

2

: extremely disagreeable or unpleasant

3

informal : very great

an awful lot of money

awfulness noun

awful

2 of 2 adverb

: very entry 2 sense 1

awful tired