Awful: meaning, definitions and examples

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awful

[ˈɔː.fəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling or causing great displeasure or unhappiness

Extremely bad or unpleasant; terrible.

Synonyms

abominable, atrocious, dreadful, horrible, terrible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
awful	Use this word to describe something very bad, unpleasant, or disagreeable. It can be used in both serious and less serious situations. The weather was awful yesterday. She felt awful after hearing the news.
terrible	This word is commonly used to express something extremely bad or serious. It can describe a wide variety of negative situations. She made a terrible mistake. The terrible weather ruined our plans.
dreadful	This word is best for describing something very bad or appalling. It focuses more on the emotional response and fear something evokes. The news about the accident was dreadful. She had a dreadful cold.
horrible	Use this word when describing something that causes horror or is extremely unpleasant. It's often used in casual conversations. The movie was horrible, I couldn't watch it. The smell from the garbage was horrible.
atrocious	Use this word to refer to something extremely bad, brutal, or cruel. It can describe both actions and conditions that are outrageously bad. The food at the restaurant was atrocious. The atrocities committed during the war were inhumane.
abominable	This word is suitable for situations involving something morally wrong, offensive, or extremely unpleasant. It often carries a stronger negative connotation. The conditions in the prison were abominable. His behavior was abominable.

Examples of usage

That was an awful thing to say.
The weather has been simply awful all week.
The food was truly awful.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

used to emphasize the degree of something unpleasant or severe

Used as a general term of disapproval.

Synonyms

exceedingly, incredibly, terribly, very.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
awful	Can also be used informally to emphasize a large degree of something, but this is less common. He is an awful good player.
very	The most general term used to emphasize a high degree of something. Versatile for almost any context, both formal and informal. She is very happy today. The book is very interesting.
exceedingly	Used to describe something that is extremely great in degree. Often found in more formal writing or speech. The test was exceedingly difficult. She was exceedingly pleased with the results.
incredibly	Used to emphasize something that is hard to believe or very surprising. Suitable for both casual and formal contexts. The movie was incredibly exciting. He is incredibly talented.
terribly	Typically used to describe something unpleasant or bad. Can also be used informally to emphasize a strong degree of emotion or action. She was terribly upset about the news. The conditions are terribly harsh here.

Examples of usage

He was an awful person to work for.
She sings awfully out of tune.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'awefull,' which originally meant 'full of awe,' referring to deep respect or fear.
In the 16th century, it began to take on a negative sense, shifting from reverence to a description of something dreadful.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, the word is often used humorously, describing minor annoyances rather than true horrors.
British English has embraced the term in a more casual way, using it to describe both extreme disappointment and amusing situations.

Psychology

Studies show that the negativity associated with words like this can create a strong emotional response, affecting mood.
Words perceived as negative, such as this one, can trigger stronger neural reactions in the brain compared to positive words.

Literature

Authors often use this word to evoke strong feelings in readers, creating an impactful description of characters or situations.
In Shakespeare's works, ‘awful’ appears alongside themes of tragic events, highlighting human suffering and despair.

Pop Culture

The expression 'It's awful!' is often humorously overused in sitcoms to depict exaggerated reactions, becoming a catchphrase.
Various songs and movies incorporate this word to emphasize bad situations or heartbreak, resonating with audiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "awful" in other languages:

🇵🇹 horrível

🇮🇳 भयानक

🇩🇪 schrecklich

🇮🇩 mengerikan

🇺🇦 жахливий

🇵🇱 okropny

🇯🇵 ひどい

🇫🇷 horrible

🇪🇸 horrible

🇹🇷 korkunç

🇰🇷 끔찍한

🇸🇦 فظيع

🇨🇿 strašný

🇸🇰 strašný

🇨🇳 糟糕的

🇸🇮 grozen

🇮🇸 hræðilegt

🇰🇿 қорқынышты

🇬🇪 საშინელი

🇦🇿 dəhşətli

🇲🇽 horrible

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,612 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5609 levied
5610 licensing
5611 comprised
5612 awful
5613 troubles
5614 lever
5615 collision
...