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awful
/ˈɔːfəl/
very bad or unpleasant
The movie was awful, and I left halfway through.
The movie was very bad, and I left halfway through.
informal
Extremely bad or unpleasant
The food at that restaurant was awful.
The food at that restaurant was extremely bad.
She had an awful experience at the hospital.
She had a very unpleasant experience at the hospital.
Often used to express strong disapproval or discomfort.
informal
Very large or impressive (informal, often ironic)
That was an awful lot of work!
That was a very large amount of work!
Used humorously or ironically to emphasize the magnitude of something.
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The word 'awful' can be used both literally (to describe something very bad) and ironically (to describe something very good). Pay attention to the tone and context to understand the intended meaning.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While 'awful' is a common word, overusing it can make your speech or writing sound repetitive. Try to vary your vocabulary with synonyms like 'terrible', 'horrible', or 'dreadful'.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'awful', from Old English 'eall' (all) + 'ful' (full), originally meaning 'full of awe' or 'inspiring reverence'. The modern sense of 'very bad' emerged in the 14th century.
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally and ironically. In formal contexts, 'terrible' or 'dreadful' may be preferred over 'awful'.
Word Breakdown
aw-
all
prefix-ful
full of
suffixEnglish Dictionary