awful Definition
- 1very bad or unpleasant
- 2causing fear or dread
- 3used to emphasize the degree to which something is bad or unpleasant
Using awful: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "awful" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The weather was awful yesterday.
Example
She had an awful headache.
Example
The movie was just awful.
Example
I have an awful feeling about this.
awful Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for awful
- delightful
- wonderful
- pleasant
Phrases with awful
awful silence
a silence that is uncomfortable or oppressive
Example
The only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock, and it created an awful silence.
awful truth
a truth that is unpleasant or difficult to accept
Example
The awful truth is that we may never find a cure for this disease.
awful smell
a smell that is very unpleasant or offensive
Example
The garbage had been sitting in the sun for days, and it gave off an awful smell.
Origins of awful
from Old English 'egefull', meaning 'full of awe'
Summary: awful in Brief
The term 'awful' [ˈɔːf(ə)l] refers to something that is very bad or unpleasant, causing fear or dread. It can be used to emphasize the degree to which something is bad or unpleasant. Examples include 'The weather was awful yesterday' and 'She had an awful headache.' Phrases like 'awful silence' and 'awful truth' use 'awful' to denote uncomfortable or unpleasant situations.
