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   Aw·ful

   /ˈôf(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. very bad or unpleasant: "the place smelled awful" Similar very unpleasantdisgustingnastyterribledreadfulghastlyhorridhorriblevilefoulabominableappallingatrocioushorrendoushideousoffensiveobjectionableobnoxiousfrightfulloathsomerevoltingrepulsiverepellentrepugnantodioussickeningnauseatingnauseousinformal:gruesomediabolicalyuckysick-makinggodawfulgrossfrom hellickygrottybeastlyhellaciouslousyliterary:noisomearchaic:disgustfulloathlyvery badpoordreadfulterriblefrightfulatrocioushopelessinadequateinferiorunsatisfactorysubstandardlaughablelamentableexecrableinformal:crummypatheticrottenuselesswoefullousyappallingabysmaldiregodawfulduffchronicrubbisha load of pantspoxyvulgar slang:crapshitchickenshitrare:egregiousOpposite lovelywonderfulgoodexcellent
   • ▪ extremely shocking; horrific: "awful, bloody images" Similar seriousgravebadterribledreadfulalarmingcriticalOpposite slightminor
   • ▪ (of a person) very unwell, troubled, or unhappy: "I felt awful for being so angry with him" Similar illunwellwashed outpeakysickqueasynauseousnauseatedgreen around the gillsfaintdizzygiddyoffoff colourpoorlyinformal:roughlousyrottenterribledreadfulcrummygrottyropywabbitpeely-wallycrookvulgar slang:crappydated:queerseedyrare:peakedpeakishremorsefulconscience-strickenguiltyguilt-riddenashamedchastenedcontritesorryfull of regretregretfulrepentantpenitentshamefacedself-reproachfulapologetic
   • 2. used to emphasize the extent of something, especially something unpleasant or negative: "I've made an awful fool of myself"
   • 3. inspiring reverential wonder or fear. archaic Similar awe-inspiringawesomeimpressiveamazingdreadfearful

   adverb

   • 1. awfully; very: informal North American "we're an awful long way from the main road"

   Word Origin Old English(see awe, -ful).

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • A

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   • W

     4

   • F

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   • U

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   • L

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2. People also ask

   What does awful mean?

   • From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English aw‧ful1 /ˈɔːfəl $ ˈɒː-/ ●●● S1 adjective 1 very bad or unpleasant SYN terrible The weather was awful. He is a pretty awful driver. That fridge smells awful. The last six months have been awful for her. I’ve stopped believing most of what he says. Isn’t that awful?

   awful | meaning of awful in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

   www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/awful

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   What does the suffix 'awful' mean?

   • The “some” suffix of “awesome” means “causing or characterized by,” and the “ful” of “awful” originally meant “full of” or “characterized by, inspiring.” The transformation of “awful” from meaning “inspiring awe” to “really bad” came in the 18th century, probably from repeated use of “awful” to mean “so bad as to inspire awe.”

   Awful / Awkward / Awesome « The Word Detective

   www.word-detective.com/2009/10/awful-awkward-awesome/

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   What does it mean to be Aweful?

   • In secular contexts, “awe” came to mean, as the Oxford English Dictionary puts it, “the feeling of solemn and reverential wonder, tinged with latent fear, inspired by what is terribly sublime and majestic in nature, e.g., thunder, a storm at sea.” Both “awful” and “awesome” are based on this “awe.”

   Awful / Awkward / Awesome « The Word Detective

   www.word-detective.com/2009/10/awful-awkward-awesome/

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   Is awful a etymology?

   • 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 …

   Awful Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awful

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3. www.oed.com › dictionary › awful_adjawful, adj. & adv. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › awful_adj

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   Meaning & use. Arousing or inspiring awe. Later also in weaker or more general use: very bad or unpleasant, and related senses. I.1.a. That inspires or instils fear, terror, or dread; terrible, dreadful; (from the 18th century often) extremely shocking or distressing; horrific.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionawful adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   awful (rather informal) very bad or unpleasant; used to describe something that you do not like or that makes you feel depressed, ill, guilty or disapproving: That’s an awful colour. The weather last summer was awful. horrible (rather informal) very unpleasant; used to describe something that you do not like: The coffee tasted horrible.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › awfulAWFUL definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

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   2 days ago · Definition of 'awful' Word Frequency. awful. (ɔfəl ) 1. adjective. 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. ...an awful smell of paint. Synonyms: bad, poor, terrible [informal], appalling More Synonyms of awful. 2. adjective.

6. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › awfulawful | meaning of awful in Longman Dictionary of ...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › awful

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   awful. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English aw‧ful1 /ˈɔːfəl $ ˈɒː-/ S1 adjective 1 very bad or unpleasant SYN terrible The weather was awful. He is a pretty awful driver. That fridge smells awful. The last six months have been awful for her. I’ve stopped believing most of what he says.

7. en.thefreedictionary.com › awfulAwful - definition of awful by The Free Dictionary

   en.thefreedictionary.com › awful

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   1. very bad; unpleasant. 2. archaic inspiring reverence or dread. 3. archaic overcome with awe; reverential. adv. not standard (intensifier): an awful cold day. [C13: see awe, -ful] ˈawfulness n.

8. www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › awfulAwful - Definition, Meaning, Synonyms, Etymology

   www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › awful

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   Dictionary definition of awful. Extremely unpleasant, terrible, or causing a feeling of great discomfort, distress, or dismay. "The awful news of the accident left everyone in shock and sadness." Detailed meaning of awful.

9. www.wordsmyth.netawful | Dictionaries and vocabulary tools for English ...

   www.wordsmyth.net

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   Definition of awful. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.