awful

/ˈɔfəl/

/ˈɔfəl/

Describe something that is exceptionally bad as awful, but be careful: Saying your mom's cooking is awful may be truthful, but it's also likely to get you a frying pan upside the head.

In addition to meaning exceptionally bad, the adjective awful can also mean exceedingly large or extreme in degree. That new car costs an awful lot of money, for example. Perhaps you should think about a bus pass or bicycle instead! As an adverb, awful is used as an intensifier, meaning very. As in, "It's taking you an awful long time to finish that paper. Stop procrastinating."

Definitions of awful

1. adjective

   exceptionally bad or displeasing
   “an awful voice”

   synonyms: abominable, abysmal, atrocious, dreadful, painful, terrible, unspeakable, vile

   bad

   having undesirable or negative qualities
2. adjective

   offensive or even (of persons) malicious
   synonyms: nasty

   dirty, filthy, lousy

   vile; despicable

   grotty

   very unpleasant or offensive

   hateful, mean

   characterized by malice

   unpleasant

   disagreeable to the senses, to the mind, or feelings
3. interjection

   used to express strong disapproval or that something is very bad
4. adjective

   causing fear or dread or terror
   “the awful war”

   “an awful risk”

   synonyms: dire, direful, dread, dreaded, dreadful, fearful, fearsome, frightening, horrendous, horrific, terrible

   alarming

   frightening because of an awareness of danger
5. adjective

   extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact
   synonyms: frightful, terrible, tremendous

   extraordinary

   beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
6. adverb

   used as intensifiers
   “I'm awful sorry”

   synonyms: awfully, frightfully, terribly
7. adjective

   inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
   “"this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath"- Melville”

   synonyms: amazing, awe-inspiring, awesome, awing

   impressive

   making a strong or vivid impression
8. adjective

   inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
   “awful worshippers with bowed heads”

   synonyms: awed

   reverent

   feeling or showing profound respect or veneration