Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [aw-fuh l]
- /ˈɔ fəl/
- /ˈɔːfl/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [aw-fuh l]
- /ˈɔ fəl/
Definitions of awful word
- adjective awful If you say that someone or something is awful, you dislike that person or thing or you think that they are not very good. 3
- adjective awful If you say that something is awful, you mean that it is extremely unpleasant, shocking, or bad. 3
- adjective awful If you look or feel awful, you look or feel ill. 3
- adjective awful You can use awful with noun groups that refer to an amount in order to emphasize how large that amount is. 3
- adverb awful You can use awful with adjectives that describe a quality in order to emphasize that particular quality. 3
- adjective awful very bad; unpleasant 3
Information block about the term
Origin of awful
First appearance:
before 1200 One of the 9% oldest English words
1200-50; Middle English a(g)heful, aueful; see awe, -ful; replacing Old English egefull dreadful
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Awful
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
awful popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
awful usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for awful
adj awful
- depressing — Something that is depressing makes you feel sad and disappointed.
- dreadful — causing great dread, fear, or terror; terrible: a dreadful storm.
- atrocious — If you describe something as atrocious, you are emphasizing that its quality is very bad.
- horrific — causing horror.
- distressing — great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.
adjective awful
adverb awful
- so much — in the way or manner indicated, described, or implied: Do it so.
- mucho — much or many: They're under mucho stress.
- immensely — vast; huge; very great: an immense territory.
- highly — in or to a high degree; extremely: highly amusing; highly seasoned food.
- but good — (Idiomatic) To a high degree; very thoroughly; in a most definite manner.
Antonyms for awful
adj awful
- pleasant — pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure: pleasant news.
- pleasing — giving pleasure; agreeable; gratifying: a pleasing performance.
- wonderful — excellent; great; marvelous: We all had a wonderful weekend.
- inoffensive — causing no harm, trouble, or annoyance: a mild, inoffensive man.
- comforting — If you say that something is comforting, you mean it makes you feel less worried or unhappy.
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