awful
pronunciation
How to pronounce awful in British English:
UK [ˈɔːfl]
How to pronounce awful in American English:
US [ˈɔːfl]
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- Adjective:
- exceptionally bad or displeasing
- causing fear or dread or terror
- offensive or even (of persons) malicious
- inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
- inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
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- Adverb:
- used as intensifiers
Word Origin
- awful (adj.)
- c. 1300, agheful "worthy of respect or fear," from aghe, an earlier form of awe (n.), + -ful. The Old English word was egefull. Weakened sense "very bad" is from 1809; weakened sense of "exceedingly" is by 1818.
Example
- 1. Certainly , the news since january has been awful .
- 2. Paying out billions in bonuses will still look awful .
- 3. But there is a darker side to this awful saga .
- 4. Suddenly , in the moonlight , I saw the monster 's awful face looking at me .
- 5. The housing bubble was unique , and uniquely awful .