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Definition of Awful

Adjective: awful (awfuler,awfulest) o-ful

Exceptionally bad or displeasing
"an awful voice";
- atrocious, abominable, dreadful, painful, terrible, unspeakable, horrible
Causing fear, dread or terror
"the awful war"; "an awful risk";
- dire, direful, dread, dreaded, dreadful, fearful, fearsome, frightening, horrendous, horrific, terrible
Offensive or even (of persons) malicious
- nasty
Inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
"awful worshippers with bowed heads";
- awed
Extreme in degree, extent, amount or impact
- frightful, terrible, tremendous
[archaic] Inspiring awe, admiration or wonder
"this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath";
- amazing, awe-inspiring, awesome, awing

Adverb: awful o-ful
Usage: N. Amer (elsewhere: awfully)

Used as an intensifier
"I'm awful sorry";
- terribly, awfully, frightfully, appallingly, execrably