awful

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective exceptionally bad or displeasing
  2. adjective causing fear or dread or terror
  3. adjective offensive or even (of persons) malicious; ; ; ; ; ; - Ezra Pound

Etymology

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”.

In classic literature

Synonyms

atrocious, abominable, dreadful, painful, terrible, unspeakable

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