AWFUL Meaning of AWFUL in English awful BrE AmE ˈɔːf ə l -ʊl ˈɑːf- —but in the literal meaning 'awe-inspiring', ˈɔː fʊl AmE \ ˈɔː-, ˈɑː-▷ awful|ness nəs nɪs Longman Pronunciation English Dictionary. Английский словарь произношений Longman. 2012