Word Games Pro Dictionary
awful
adjective
adverb
causing fear or dread or terror
Quick reference
Word Facts
How it sounds
Pronunciation
ˈɔːfʊl
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Audio Pronunciation
Audio pronunciation is unavailable for this word.
Meaning
Definitions
adjective
causing fear or dread or terror
“the awful war”
adjective
exceptionally bad or displeasing
“atrocious taste”
adjective
inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
“New York is an amazing city”
adjective
offensive or even (of persons) malicious
“in a nasty mood”
adjective
extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact
“in a frightful hurry”
adjective
inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
“awed by the silence”
adverb
used as intensifiers
“terribly interesting”
In context
Example Sentences
the awful war
an awful risk
dire news
a career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
the dread presence of the headmaster
atrocious taste
abominable workmanship
an awful voice
dreadful manners
a painful performance
New York is an amazing city
the Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring sight
the awesome complexity of the universe
{'source': 'Melville', 'text': 'this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath'}
Westminster Hall's awing majesty, so vast, so high, so silent
in a nasty mood
a nasty accident
a nasty shock
a nasty smell
a nasty trick to pull
in a frightful hurry
spent a frightful amount of money
awed by the silence
awful worshippers with bowed heads
terribly interesting
I'm awful sorry
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