A2adjective1K

UK/["/ˈɔːfl/"]/US/["/ˈɔːfl/"]/

Meaning of Awful

In simple words: Very bad or terrible.

Awful in a sentence

  • The weather was awful, and we decided to stay indoors.
  • I had an awful headache that lasted all day.
  • The music was awful, and I couldn't listen to it anymore.
  • His awful behavior at the party surprised everyone.
  • She made an awful mistake on the exam and failed.

How to use Awful

Use 'awful' to describe something that is really unpleasant or of poor quality. It's appropriate in most contexts, but can be less formal than 'terrible'. Avoid using it in overly formal writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'awful' as 'a-full' of bad things.

Related words

Collocations with Awful

Synonyms for Awful

Opposites of Awful

Common mistakes with Awful

  • Confused with 'awesome' — 'awful' means bad, while 'awesome' means great.
  • Using 'awful' for very small issues, when a less strong word would fit better.
  • Overusing 'awful' in formal contexts where a different adjective might be more appropriate.

Awful appears in

Awful in other languages

More words like Awful

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Frequently asked questions about Awful

What does Awful mean?

Very bad or terrible.

What is the definition of Awful?

very bad or unpleasant

How do you use Awful in a sentence?

The weather was awful, and we decided to stay indoors.

Can you give another example of Awful?

I had an awful headache that lasted all day.

What are synonyms for Awful?

Common alternatives include terrible.

What is the opposite of Awful?

Opposite meanings include wonderful, fantastic, excellent.

What words go with Awful?

It commonly pairs with be, feel, look, just, quite, really.

What are common mistakes when using Awful?

Confused with 'awesome' — 'awful' means bad, while 'awesome' means great. Using 'awful' for very small issues, when a less strong word would fit better. Overusing 'awful' in formal contexts where a different adjective might be more appropriate.

How do you pronounce Awful?

US: /["/ˈɔːfl/"]/, UK: /["/ˈɔːfl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Awful?

Use 'awful' to describe something that is really unpleasant or of poor quality. It's appropriate in most contexts, but can be less formal than 'terrible'. Avoid using it in overly formal writing.

What CEFR level is Awful?

"Awful" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.