awful
AW-fuul
Awful (adj) means Very bad or unpleasant. Example: “The weather was awful all weekend.”
adj
1
Very bad or unpleasant.
"The weather was awful all weekend."
"I feel awful about forgetting her birthday."
"That was an awful film, and I wanted to leave halfway through."
adv
1
informal: Very; extremely.
"The soup was awful hot, so I waited a while before eating it."
"You did awful well in the exam, considering how little time you had."
"It's awful cold out there tonight."
How to use awful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery bad, or (informally) used to mean "extremely".
When to use it
Using "awful" as an intensifier ("awful cold") is informal/dialectal — use "awfully" in more careful speech.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- awfuller, more awful
- Superlative
- awfullest, most awful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The weather was _____ all weekend.
Etymology
From Middle English aweful, "awe-inspiring" (awe + -ful). The modern negative sense developed as a shift from "awe-inspiring" to simply "very bad".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for awful
See all rhymes for awful →Frequently asked questions
What does “awful” mean?
The word “awful” means very bad or unpleasant. In plain terms, very bad, or (informally) used to mean "extremely".
How do you pronounce “awful”?
“Awful” is pronounced AW-fuul (/ˈɔːfʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “awful” in a sentence?
Here is “awful” used in a sentence: “The weather was awful all weekend.”
What part of speech is “awful”?
Depending on how it is used, “awful” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “awful” come from?
The word “awful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English aweful, "awe-inspiring" (awe + -ful). The modern negative sense developed as a shift from "awe-inspiring" to simply "very bad".
Is “awful” a common word?
“Awful” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “awful” have?
“Awful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very bad or unpleasant.
What is the difference between awful and awesome?
Both come from the word awe, but they have drifted to opposite meanings. Awful now means very bad or unpleasant, while awesome means extremely good or impressive. Centuries ago awful could mean full of awe, and thus awe-inspiring, but that sense has faded. Today awful is firmly negative and awesome firmly positive.
What is the opposite of awful?
The opposite is a strongly positive word such as wonderful, excellent, or superb. If you mean pleasant rather than unpleasant, lovely or delightful work well. The right choice depends on what you are describing: awful weather turns to glorious weather, while an awful meal becomes a delicious one.
Does awful ever mean full of awe?
Historically, yes. Awful once described things that filled people with awe: powerful, majestic, even frightening. Over time it narrowed to mean simply very bad. That older sense survives faintly in phrases like an awful lot, where awful just intensifies. In everyday modern use, though, awful means unpleasant or dreadful.
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