awful

adjective7

1. •
   very bad

   • The smell of my socks is awful.
   • We saw such an awful film last night that we left the theater before the end.
2. •
   Exceedingly great; usually applied intensively.

   • I have learnt an awful amount today.
3. •
   (old-fashioned) Causing fear or horror; appalling, terrible.

   • At our old pastimes in the hall ⁠We gambol’d, making vain pretence ⁠Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute Shadow watching all. — 1850
4. •
   (Ireland) Prone to a particular temptation.

   • "It's her imagination, that's what it is," Millie said. "She's awful for imagining things, Wilfred agreed with me." — 1945
5. •
   (no longer used) Awe-inspiring; filling with profound reverence or respect; profoundly impressive.

   • As I am seen could I but gaze on Thee / Awful in majesty and royal might — 1889
6. •
   (no longer used) Struck or filled with awe or reverence.
7. •
   (no longer used) Terror-stricken.

adverb2

1. •
   (informal) Awfully; dreadfully; terribly.

   • The race was run, and the dog ran "awful". — 1933
2. •
   (US, informal) Very, extremely.

   • That's an awful big house.
   • She seemed awful nice when I met her yesterday.

adverb1

1. •
   (informal) Intensely or extremely; badly; in the worst way.

   • He wants to get out of there something awful, but he just doesn't have the money.

noun1

1. •
   (US, offensive) Acronym of affluent white female urban liberal.

   • She's AWFUL... Affluent White Female Urban Liberal. — 2024