I. ˈȯ-fəl adjective
Date: 13th century
1. : inspiring awe
2. : filled with awe: as
a. obsolete : afraid , terrified
b. : deeply respectful or reverential
3. : extremely disagreeable or objectionable
awful food
4. : exceedingly great — used as an intensive
an awful lot of money
• aw·ful·ly ˈȯ-fə-lē, especially as adv of adj senses 3 & 4 -flē adverb
• aw·ful·ness -fəl-nəs noun
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 b 1917
II. adverb
Date: 1818
: very , extremely
awful tired