B1adjectiveinformalemotions
US/ˈɑː.fəl/
UK/ˈɔː.fəl/
very bad or unpleasant; informally, used to mean a lot
In context
The traffic this morning was awful, it took me two hours.
I feel awful about forgetting your birthday, let me buy you dinner.
That's an awful lot of money for a pair of shoes.
Words that go with awful
verb + adjective
- feel awfulI feel awful, I think I have the flu.
- look awfulYou look awful, go home and rest.
adjective + noun
- an awful lotShe knows an awful lot about wine.
- awful weatherWe had awful weather on holiday.
adverb + adjective
- absolutely awfulThe food was absolutely awful.