awful

Everyday

1. Awful means very bad or unpleasant: awful weather, an awful smell. tree →
2. If you feel awful, you feel ill or very unhappy or guilty. tree →
3. (informal) «An awful lot» means a very large amount. tree →
4. In old writing, awful meant «full of awe», very impressive and frightening. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and stories it is a strong word for bad experiences. In writing lessons, teachers may ask pupils to use more exact words than «awful» (terrible, disgusting, dreadful, horrid). Phrases: «an awful lot», «feel awful», «look awful», «that's awful».

Examples

• The weather was awful, so we stayed inside. tree →
• This medicine tastes awful. tree →
• I feel awful — I think I have a cold. tree →
• I felt awful about breaking her pencil. tree →
• There is an awful lot of homework this week. tree →
• What an awful smell! tree →
• The traffic was awful on the way to school. tree →
• That's awful news; I'm sorry. tree →

Note

One l at the end: awful (not «awfull»). Adverb: awfully (very: «awfully kind»). In US speech «awful» can mean «very» («awful big»), but in writing use «awfully» or «very». The old meaning connects to «awe» and «awesome», which now means great — so «awful» and «awesome» have become opposites.

In Jewish tradition

In old English it means filled with awe, causing deep respect and fear. It is a good thing here, not "bad".

Interpretation. It describes God as great, mighty and awesome. It is also used for the glorious and awful Name. Jewish tradition treats God's Name with great reverence, and Jews do not say it aloud.

Examples

• Thou shalt not be affrighted at them; for the LORD thy God is in the midst of thee, a God great and awful. (Torah DEU.7.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the LORD your God, He is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awful, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. (Torah DEU.10.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and awful Name, the LORD thy God; (Torah DEU.28.58, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let them praise Thy name as great and awful; Holy is He. (Writings PSA.99.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the LORD is most high, awful; a great King over all the earth. (Writings PSA.47.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• He hath sent redemption unto His people; He hath commanded His covenant for ever; Holy and awful is His name. (Writings PSA.111.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

One l at the end: awful (not «awfull»). Adverb: awfully (very: «awfully kind»). In US speech «awful» can mean «very» («awful big»), but in writing use «awfully» or «very». The old meaning connects to «awe» and «awesome», which now means great — so «awful» and «awesome» have become opposites.