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awful

adjective

/ˈɔ fəl/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of awful

Extremely unpleasant, terrible, or causing a feeling of great discomfort, distress, or dismay.
"The awful news of the accident left everyone in shock and sadness."

Detailed meaning of awful

When something is labeled as awful, it signifies that it is exceptionally bad, of poor quality, or characterized by a sense of negativity. It can refer to situations, experiences, events, or objects that evoke a strong sense of repulsion, horror, or dissatisfaction. The term "awful" is often associated with intense negative emotions, such as fear, disgust, disappointment, or sadness. It suggests a deep level of unpleasantness or unattractiveness, leaving a lasting negative impression. Additionally, "awful" can also be used informally to convey a sense of emphasis or exaggeration, indicating something to be very bad or greatly disliked. Overall, the adjective "awful" is employed to express extreme negativity, dissatisfaction, or discomfort when describing a particular situation, experience, or object.

Example sentences containing awful

1. The food at that restaurant was absolutely awful; we couldn't even finish our meals.
2. She had an awful headache that lasted all day.
3. The weather during our vacation was awful, with constant rain and storms.
4. I had an awful experience at the dentist's office; it was painful and uncomfortable.
5. The movie we watched last night was just awful; the acting and plot were terrible.
6. He felt awful after realizing he had accidentally broken his friend's favorite mug.

History and etymology of awful

The adjective 'awful' has an etymology rooted in Old English, where it existed as 'egefull' or 'egful,' combining 'ege,' meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' with the suffix '-ful,' indicating full of or characterized by. In its earliest usage, 'awful' conveyed the sense of something inspiring fear or terror, often linked to the supernatural or divine. Over time, during the Middle English period, the meaning of 'awful' broadened to encompass things that were considered awe-inspiring, remarkable, or deserving of great respect and reverence. However, as language evolved further, 'awful' started to take on a more negative connotation, coming to describe things that were extremely unpleasant, terrible, or causing a feeling of great discomfort, distress, or dismay. The etymology of 'awful' highlights the shift in meaning from inspiring awe and reverence to signifying something dreadful or unpleasant.

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Further usage examples of awful

1. The awful smell coming from the garbage bin made us hold our noses.
2. The traffic during rush hour was awful; we were stuck in gridlock for hours.
3. She felt awful for forgetting her friend's birthday; she had to make it up to them.
4. The awful noise coming from the construction site kept us awake all night.
5. The awful condition of the abandoned building made it unsafe and unsightly.
6. The food at that restaurant was so awful, I couldn't take another bite.
7. I had an awful day at work; everything went wrong.
8. The weather turned awful, ruining our outdoor plans.
9. The traffic on the highway was simply awful this morning.
10. Her illness brought about an awful sense of helplessness.
11. The movie we watched last night was truly awful; we walked out halfway through.
12. The news of the accident was absolutely awful; we hope everyone's okay.
13. The smell in the room was so awful that I had to leave.
14. The condition of the old house was awful; it needs serious repairs.
15. His behavior towards her was truly awful; he should apologize.
16. The exam results were awful, and I'll need to retake it.
17. That car accident was an awful experience; I'm still shaken.
18. The awful noise from the construction site kept me up all night.
19. The news of the natural disaster was awful; so many lives affected.
20. Her cooking skills are awful; I wouldn't eat that again.
21. The customer service at that store was awful; they were so rude.
22. The awful smell from the landfill nearby was unbearable.
23. The awful truth is that we're running out of time to fix this.
24. The awful sight of the wreckage left a lasting impression.
25. The awful mistake cost the company millions in losses.