Awfully

Origin

awful + -ly

Full definition of awfully

Adverb

1. In a manner inspiring awe.
2. Reverently.
3. Badly, terribly.She led after the swiming and cycling, but ran awfully and came in fourth.
4. (not comparable) Very; exceedingly; extremely; excessively.
• 1912, Arnold Bennett, The Grim Smile of the Five Towns, Project Gutenberg eText.It was wondrous. 'I'm awfully glad I came now,' his thought ran; 'I'm managing it rather well.'
5. (obsolete) Fearfully.

Usage notes

Adjectives to which "awfully" is often applied: good, hard, sad, nice, sorry, long, quiet, big, glad, familiar, well, difficult, tired, bad, hot, high, busy, pretty, small, cold, funny, expensive, fond, important, young, interesting, jolly, short, proud, clever, boring, strange, happy, lonely, stupid, strong, sick, pleased, old, hungry, afraid, silly.

Synonyms

• (very) very, extremely, terribly