Awfully

Part of Speech

Adverb

Pronunciation

/ˈɔːfəlɪ/

Definitions

• In a manner that causes dread, fear, or horror; in an awful manner.
• Used to emphasize a negative quality or degree, often in a colloquial or exaggerated manner.
• In a very bad or unpleasant way (often used with adjectives such as "bad," "sorry," etc.).
• In the past, it was also used to mean "inspiring awe," but this usage is now obsolete.

Usage Examples

• The weather was awfully cold today; I could barely feel my fingers.
• She looked at me awfully when I mentioned the mistake.
• He’s awfully good at playing the guitar—it's incredible!
• The food was awfully bad at that restaurant; I wouldn't recommend it.

Etymology

The word "awfully" is derived from the adjective "awful," which originally meant "inspiring awe." The word 'awful' comes from the Old English 'egefull,' meaning 'full of awe.' In the 17th century, the word began to shift toward its modern meaning of something unpleasant or unpleasantly intense, which carried over into the adverbial form "awfully." The use of "awfully" to emphasize something negative became widespread in colloquial English in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Synonyms

• Terribly
• Extremely
• Excessively
• Horribly
• Very
• Remarkably (in some contexts)
• Appallingly

Antonyms

• Moderately
• Calmly
• Softly
• Gently
• Nicely
• Graciously

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "awfully" is quite similar across different English accents, though regional variations in vowel sounds may make the second syllable sound more like a schwa in some dialects. In American English, it may sound more clipped, while in British English, it could be slightly more elongated.

Historical Usage

Historically, "awfully" was used to emphasize the sense of "awe," which originally meant "reverence" or "fear." This usage is now obsolete, and the adverb has taken on its modern meaning of emphasizing something negative or undesirable. The phrase “awfully nice” or “awfully good,” meaning "surprisingly good," is also a reflection of the modern, less literal sense of the word.

Cultural Nuances

In modern English, "awfully" is often used in an exaggerated, hyperbolic way to emphasize how negative or intense something is. However, in some cultures, particularly in the United States, "awfully" is also used to intensify positive statements, e.g., "He’s awfully nice." This dual usage—positive and negative—adds to its versatility in casual conversation.

More Information

The word "awfully" serves as a common intensifier in everyday speech, especially in informal settings. While it primarily serves to emphasize negative traits or qualities, it can also be used humorously or to soften positive statements. Its flexibility in contemporary language makes it an important and widely used adverb in both British and American English.