Awfully — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb /ˈȯ-fə-lē/ aw·ful·ly

Meaning & Definition of Awfully

Awfully (adverb)

  1. exceedingly, extremely, very —used as an intensive
  2. in a way that inspires awe
  3. with a feeling of awe

Awfully (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to a great degree

    "I'm awfully sorry"

    similar: achingly, almighty, archly, awful, badly, beastly, blisteringly, bone, colossally, corking, cracking, damn, damned, dang, deadly, desperately, eminently, enormously, especially, ever, exceedingly, extra, extremely, fabulously, fantastically, far, fiercely, filthy, frightfully, full, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, immensely, incredibly, intensely, jolly, majorly, mightily, mighty, monstrous (chiefly dialect), mortally, most, much, particularly, passing, rattling, real, really, right, roaring, roaringly, seriously, severely, so, sore, sorely, spanking, specially, stinking, such, super, supremely, surpassingly, terribly, that, thumping, too, unco, uncommonly, vastly, very, vitally, way, whacking, wicked, wildly, a lot, as all get-out, good and
    related: absolutely, altogether, completely, downright, entirely, flat-out, fully, positively, purely, radically, thoroughly, totally, utterly, wholly, deeply, profoundly, exceptionally, notably, remarkably, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially, appreciably, discernibly, markedly, noticeably, obviously, palpably, plainly, visibly, abundantly, plentifully, astronomically, grandly, monstrously, monumentally, excessively, obscenely, overmuch, amazingly, astonishingly, staggeringly
    opposite: little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, somewhat
    near: meagerly, scantily, barely, hardly, just, marginally, minimally, scarcely

Related Entry: Awful (adjective)

Awful is a different word from Awfully. The synonyms below are for awful, not for awfully.

  1. causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

    "that's an awful thing to say about someone"

    similar: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
    related: exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish, sickly, terrible, unspeakable, vile, off-putting, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, barbarous, unchristian, uncivilized, ungodly, unholy, distressing, disturbing, upsetting
    opposite: innocuous, inoffensive
    near: acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet, welcome, unexceptionable, unobjectionable, healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

  2. causing wonder or astonishment

    "the awful power of Niagara Falls"

    similar: amazing, astonishing, astounding, awesome, eye-opening, fabulous, marvelous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stunning, stupendous, sublime, surprising, wonderful, wondrous
    related: incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unthinkable, extraordinary, phenomenal, rare, sensational, spectacular, singular, uncommon, unique, unusual, unwonted, conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, remarkable, impressive, smashing, striking, mind-bending, mind-blowing, mind-boggling, animating, energizing, enlightening, enlivening, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, stimulating, alluring, attracting, attractive, beguiling, bewitching, captivating, charming, enchanting, entertaining, enthralling, fascinating, interesting
    near: unimpressive, uninspiring, unremarkable, boring, dull, jading, monotonous, tedious, tiring, uninspired, uninteresting, wearisome, weary, wearying, common, customary, mundane, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, usual, draining, enervating, exhausting, fatiguing, wearing, debilitating, enfeebling, demoralizing, discouraging, disheartening, dispiriting

  3. extremely disturbing or repellent

    "spare me the awful details of the murder"

    similar: appalling, atrocious, dreadful, frightful, ghastly, grisly, gruesome, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmare, nightmarish, shocking, terrible, terrific
    related: alarming, bloodcurdling, dire, direful, fearful, fearsome, forbidding, formidable, frightening, gut-wrenching, hair-raising, heart-stopping, intimidating, redoubtable, scary, terrifying, abhorrent, deplorable, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, nauseating, noisome, obnoxious, obscene, offensive, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening, abominable, evil, foul, heinous, noxious, odious, unspeakable, vile, grotesque, ugly, unsightly
    near: agreeable, appealing, attractive, delectable, delicious, delightful, enjoyable, enticing, inviting, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, welcome, cheering, comforting, soothing

  4. extremely unsatisfactory

    "I can't believe I spent good money to see that movie—it was awful"

    similar: abysmal, atrocious, dismal, execrable, horrible, lousy, punk, rotten, sucky (slang), terrible, wretched
    related: bad, deficient, inferior, off, poor, substandard, wanting, contemptible, miserable, shameful, defective, faulty, flawed, low-grade, mediocre, reprehensible, second-rate, bum, useless, valueless, worthless, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, abominable, damnable, fiendish, odious, vile
    opposite: bitchin' (slang), great, marvelous, wonderful
    near: choice, excellent, exceptional, first-class, first-rate, premium, prime, superior, adequate, sufficient, acceptable, satisfactory

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Awfully

The most common words with a similar meaning to Awfully:

Chiefly dialect: monstrous
achingly, almighty, archly, awful, badly, beastly, blisteringly, bone, colossally, corking, cracking, damn, damned, dang, deadly, desperately, eminently, enormously, especially, ever, exceedingly, extra, extremely, fabulously, fantastically, far, fiercely, filthy, frightfully, full, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, immensely, incredibly, intensely, jolly, majorly, mightily

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Awfully

Words with the opposite meaning of Awfully:

little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, somewhat

Related Words for Awfully

absolutely, altogether, completely, downright, entirely, flat-out, fully, positively, purely, radically, thoroughly, totally, utterly, wholly, deeply, profoundly, exceptionally, notably, remarkably, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially, appreciably, discernibly, markedly, noticeably, obviously, palpably, plainly

Near Antonyms of Awfully

meagerly, scantily, barely, hardly, just, marginally, minimally, scarcely

Origin & Etymology of Awfully

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Awfully

What does "Awfully" mean?

"Awfully" means exceedingly, extremely, very —used as an intensive. As an adverb, it is defined as: exceedingly, extremely, very —used as an intensive.

What is another word for "Awfully"?

Other words for "Awfully" include achingly, almighty, archly, awful, badly, beastly, blisteringly and bone. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Awfully" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Awfully"?

There are 124 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Awfully". Common alternatives include achingly, almighty, archly, awful, badly, beastly, blisteringly, bone, colossally and corking.

What is the opposite of "Awfully"?

Antonyms of "Awfully" include little, negligibly, nominally, slightly and somewhat. Near antonyms include meagerly, scantily, barely and hardly.

How do you use "Awfully" in a sentence?

Examples of "Awfully" in a sentence: "I'm awfully sorry".

Is "Awfully" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Awfully" is an adverb.

How do you pronounce "Awfully"?

"Awfully" is pronounced /ˈȯ-fə-lē/ and divided into syllables as aw·ful·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Awfully"?

First known use: 14th century.