awful — 1. There are two main stages in the development of this word from its primary meaning (which goes back to the time of King Alfred) of ‘inspiring awe’. First, from about 1800 it came to mean ‘very bad’ (as in awful weather, an awful time); then… … Modern English usage
awfully — (adv.) c.1300, so as to inspire reverence, from AWFUL (Cf. awful) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning dreadfully, so as to strike one with awe is recorded from late 14c. As a simple intensifier, very, exceedingly, recorded from c.1830 … Etymology dictionary
Awfully — Aw ful*ly, adv. 1. In an awful manner; in a manner to fill with terror or awe; fearfully; reverently. [1913 Webster] 2. Very; excessively. [Slang] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
awful — I. adjective Date: 13th century 1. inspiring awe 2. filled with awe: as a. obsolete afraid, terrified b. deeply respectful or reverential 3. extremely disagreeable or objectionable < awful food > 4. exceedingly great used as an intensive … New Collegiate Dictionary
awful — 01. The party was really [awful]; I wish I d stayed home. 02. You re [awfully] quiet today. Is something the matter? 03. There was an [awful] smell of cat waste in the old woman s house. 04. Judy was awake all night, and looked absolutely [awful] … Grammatical examples in English
awful — [[t]ɔ͟ːfʊl[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADJ GRADED If you say that someone or something is awful, you dislike that person or thing or you think that they are not very good. We met and I thought he was awful... I couldn t stand London! Bloody awful place. ...an… … English dictionary
awful — awfulness, n. /aw feuhl/, adj. 1. extremely bad; unpleasant; ugly: awful paintings; an awful job. 2. inspiring fear; dreadful; terrible: an awful noise. 3. solemnly impressive; inspiring awe: the awful majesty of alpine peaks. 4. full of awe;… … Universalium
awful — aw•ful [[t]ˈɔ fəl[/t]] adj. 1) extremely bad; unpleasant; disagreeable 2) inspiring fear; terrible: an awful noise[/ex] 3) solemnly impressive: the awful majesty of the peaks[/ex] 4) cvb extremely dangerous, risky, injurious, etc.: an awful fall; … From formal English to slang
awfully — /aw feuh lee, awf lee/, adv. 1. very; extremely: That was awfully nice of you. He s awfully slow. 2. in a manner provoking censure, disapproval, or the like: She behaved awfully all evening. 3. Archaic. a. in a manner inspiring awe: shouting… … Universalium
awfully — adverb 1) informal an awfully nice man Syn: very, extremely, really, immensely, exceedingly, thoroughly, dreadfully, terrifically, terribly, exceptionally, remarkably, extraordinarily; N.English right; informal seriously, majorly; Brit … Synonyms and antonyms dictionary
