adjective

awful

awful, terrible, dreadful, horrible

The weather was awful yesterday.

The weather was awful yesterday.

I feel awful about forgetting her birthday.

I feel awful about forgetting her birthday.

((awful)) + ((noun)) describing something as very bad It was an awful movie.

((to feel awful)) to feel sick or very sorry I feel awful today.

Synonyms: terrible, horrible, dreadful; Antonyms: wonderful, awesome, great

From 'awe' + '-ful' (a suffix meaning 'full of'). Originally meant 'full of awe', but the meaning shifted to be negative.

'Awful' is 'full' of 'awe' in a bad way, like something so bad it's shocking. It's the opposite of 'awesome'.

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