Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In an awful manner.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In an awful manner; in a manner to fill with terror or awe; fearfully; reverently.
  • adverb Slang Very; excessively.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a manner inspiring awe.
  • adverb Reverently.
  • adverb Badly, terribly.
  • adverb not comparable Very; exceedingly; extremely; excessively.
  • adverb obsolete Fearfully.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb used as intensifiers
  • adverb in a terrible manner
  • adverb of a dreadful kind

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

awful +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • One reason older women dress so awfully is that they want to look young.

    The Beautiful, Soft, Flowing, Modest, Clothing Depicted in the Art of Alfred Emile Leopold Stevens (1823-1906) 2009

  • The holy ability to peer into a man's soul and divine his true intentions must come in awfully handy ... but wait, doesn't the bible have a few things to say about divination?

    Are we a Christian Nation? 2009

  • The holy ability to peer into a man's soul and divine his true intentions must come in awfully handy ... but wait, doesn't the bible have a few things to say about divination?

    Are we a Christian Nation? 2009

  • "The information was coming in awfully late and it is not conclusive."

    manny garcia 2010

  • Given the evidence of a struggle, had the officers simply taken the plaintiff's word as to what had happened without investigating further, they'd have been in awfully deep the next day had she turned up severely injured, or even dead.

    Third Department 2008

  • Given the evidence of a struggle, had the officers simply taken the plaintiff's word as to what had happened without investigating further, they'd have been in awfully deep the next day had she turned up severely injured, or even dead.

    Civil Rights 2007

  • "They needed to win awfully bad," Charlotte coach Paul Silas said.

    National Basketball Association - Knicks vs. Hornets 2001

  • I write the v before my name awfully small; but anyone who knows can see it.

    A Young Girl's Diary 1923

  • One grand mass standing off in awfully powerful relief, against a golden glow, reminded us of Sinai, when the mount burned with fire, and one expected to see the tables of the law appear.

    Leaves from Juliana Horatia Ewing's "Canada Home" Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing 1896

  • v before my name awfully small; but anyone who knows can see it.

    A Young Girl's Diary Anonymous 1897

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