[aw.ful] adj (13c) 1: inspiring awe
2: filled with awe: as a obs: afraid, terrified b: deeply respectful or reverential
3: extremely disagreeable or objectionable
4: exceedingly great--used as an intensive "an ~ lot of money" -- aw.ful.ly adv -- aw.ful.ness n usage Many grammarians take issue with the senses of awful and awfully that do not convey the etymological connection with awe. However, senses 3 and
4. of the adjective were used in speech and casual writing by the late 18th century "it is an awful while since you have heard from me --John Keats (letter)" "there was an awful crowd --Sir Walter Scott (letter)" "this is an awful thing to say to oil painters --William Blake". Adverbial use of awful as an intensifier began to appear in print in the early 19th century, as did the senses of awfully corresponding to senses 3 and
4. of the adjective. Both adverbs remain in widespread use "a sad state of affairs and awful tough on art --H. L. Mencken" "the awfully rich young American --Henry James" "decided to play it so awfully safe --A. M. Schlesinger b1917".
[2]awful adv (1818): very, extremely "~ tired"