I. ˈȯfəl adjective
( sometimes awfuller sometimes awfullest )
Etymology: Middle English awful, aweful, ageful, from awe, age + -ful
1. : inspiring awe: as
a. : causing dread or terror : appalling
I am in fear — in awful fear — and there is no escape for me — Bram Stoker
b. : commanding reverential fear or profound respect
they may hold converse with some saint, their awful , kindly friend — Nathaniel Hawthorne
c. : solemnly impressive
Westminster Hall … had an awful majesty, so vast, so high, and so silent — E.W.Weeks
2. : filled with awe: as
a. obsolete : terror-stricken
great potentates do kneel with awful fear — Christopher Marlowe
b. : deeply respectful
towards the East our awful greetings are wafted — John Keble
3. : extremely unpleasant, disagreeable, or objectionable — often a generalized expression of disapproval
she has an awful voice
an awful person
awful manners
an awful hat
4. : very great — used as an intensive
does an awful lot of talking
took an awful chance
Synonyms: see fearful
II. adverb
: awfully , very , extremely
my papa always said you were an awful smart boy — Willa Cather
— not often in formal use