awfully

[ aw-fuh-lee, awf-lee ]

adverb

1. very; extremely:

   That was awfully nice of you. He's awfully slow.

2. in a manner provoking censure, disapproval, or the like:

   She behaved awfully all evening.

3. Archaic.
   1. in a manner inspiring awe:

      shouting awfully the dreaded curse.

   2. in a manner expressing awe:

      to stare awfully.

awfully

/ ˈɔːflɪ; ˈɔːfəlɪ /

adverb

1. in an unpleasant, bad, or reprehensible manner
2. informal.
   (intensifier)

   I'm awfully keen to come

3. archaic.
   so as to express or inspire awe

Confusables Note

See awful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of awfully¹

1350–1400; Middle English auefulli; awful, -ly

Example Sentences

Yes, he’s had two Tommy John surgeries and, yes, he made an awfully slow recovery from his most recent operation, going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in the regular season.

From Los Angeles Times

Things can change awfully quickly.

From Slate

If that wasn't the kiss of death, it was an awfully good simulation.

From Salon

“It’s awfully difficult to bring in business and support businesses, and see businesses thriving because of this menace,” he said.

From BBC

For a player who became a Hall of Fame lock before age 30, Trout suddenly seems awfully old.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dreadfully
• excessively
• extremely
• hugely
• immensely
• quite
• terribly
• truly