Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • 1. With alarm; fearfully.
  • In a dreadful or terrible manner.

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

  • adverb In a dreadful manner; terribly.

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

  • adverb In a dreadful manner.
  • adverb Exceptionally, eminently, very much.

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

  • adverb in a dreadful manner
  • adverb of a dreadful kind

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

dreadful +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • It is not dreadfully naughty this time, but it would be next time -- _dreadfully_ naughty. "

    Christopher Hibbault, Roadmaker Marguerite Bryant

  • “By this time you will fully understand, sir,” he said, “that what troubles me so dreadfully is the question, What does the spectre mean?”

    The Signal-Man by Charles Dickens | Solar Flare: Science Fiction News 2004

  • To say that there is anxiety as to what may develop as a result of the dire needs of European Countries which have suffered so dreadfully from the war, is to put the case mildly.

    The World's Financial Situation 1920

  • The "desirable city residence" is thin – dreadfully thin – and accordingly susceptible to heat and cold.

    Janey Canuck in the West Emily Ferguson 1910

  • I really am suffering dreadfully from the heat; quite as ill, in a different way, as I was in winter from the cold.

    Letters and Memorials of Jane Welsh Carlyle 1883

  • I’m afraid my family would complain dreadfully if I only washed once a week.

    One Deep Breath-Ceremony and Ritual 2006

  • Wasawahili, stung us dreadfully, which is a sign that large game visit the pool sometimes, but must not be mistaken for an indication that there is any in the immediate neighbourhood of the water.

    How I Found Livingstone Henry Morton 2004

  • But they missed her, as Barby said, "dreadfully;" and she was most dearly welcomed when she came back.

    Queechy 1854

  • But they missed her, as Barby said, "dreadfully;" and she was most dearly welcomed when she came back.

    Queechy Susan Warner 1852

  • But they missed her, as Barby said, "dreadfully;" and she was most dearly welcomed when she came back.

    Queechy, Volume I Susan Warner 1852

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