What does "awful" mean?
Acronym of affluent white female urban liberal.
Awful
/ˈɔːfl̩/ adj, adv, noun, slang
adj, adv, noun, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Acronym of affluent white female urban liberal.
- Grammar: awful is listed as adj, adv, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: atrocious, dreadful, horrendous, terrible.
- Useful contrasts: aweless, awesome, good.
- Usage evidence: I'm afraid there's been some awful news.
How to use "awful"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "awful" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "awful" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "awful" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "awful" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "awful" is acting as adj, adv, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "atrocious" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "awful", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Acronym of affluent white female urban liberal. US, abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, derogatory
"She's AWFUL... Affluent White Female Urban Liberal."
Adjective
- 1 Very bad.
"The smell of my socks is awful."
- 2 Exceedingly great; usually applied intensively.
"an awful bonnet"
- 3 Causing fear or horror; appalling, terrible. dated
"There was an air of gravity and importance about the garb of the person, and something indescribably odd, I might say awful, in the perfect, stonelike stillness of the figure, that effectually checked the testy comment which had at once risen to the lips of the irritated artist."
- 4 Awe-inspiring; filling with profound reverence or respect; profoundly impressive. archaic
"As I am seen could I but gaze on Thee / Awful in majesty and royal might"
- 5 Struck or filled with awe or reverence. archaic
"She spoke about Mr. Pendennis (a worthy little gentleman enough, but there are others as good as he) with an awful reverence, as if he had been the Pope of Rome on his throne, and she a cardinal kneeling at his feet, and giving him incense."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Terror-stricken. obsolete
Adjective
- 1 causing fear or dread or terror wordnet
- 2 exceptionally bad or displeasing wordnet
- 3 inspiring awe or admiration or wonder wordnet
- 4 offensive or even (of persons) malicious wordnet
- 5 extreme in degree or extent or amount or impact wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence wordnet
Adverb
- 1 Awfully; dreadfully; terribly. colloquial, not-comparable
"The race was run, and the dog ran "awful"."
- 2 Very, extremely. Canada, US, colloquial, not-comparable
"That's an awful big house."
Adverb
- 1 used as intensifiers wordnet
Example
"I'm afraid there's been some awful news."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "awful"?
Common synonyms include: atrocious, dreadful, horrendous, terrible, abominable, abominable.
How do you use "awful" in a sentence?
I'm afraid there's been some awful news.
How do you pronounce "awful"?
Pronounced /ˈɔːfl̩/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English agheful, awfull, auful, aȝefull, equivalent to awe + -ful. Compare Old English eġeful, eġefull (“terrifying; awful”). The “very bad” sense is a pejorative semantic shift from the original sense of “awe-inspiring”.
Etymology 2
Influenced by awful.