Cool MateAwful vs Terrible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Awful
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Terrible
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
| Awful | Terrible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːfl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːfl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈterəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈterəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very bad or terrible. | Very bad or awful. |
| Example | The weather was awful, and we decided to stay indoors. | The weather was terrible during our vacation. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, just, quite, really | be, feel, look, really, truly, absolutely, for, be, feel, look, really, truly, absolutely, for, be, feel, look, really, truly, absolutely, for, be, feel, look, really, truly, absolutely, for |
| Antonyms | wonderful, fantastic, excellent | wonderful, excellent, great |
| Common mistakes | 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. | 'Terrible' is often confused with 'terrifying'; they mean different things., Some learners mistakenly use 'terrible' to describe good things., Often used in hyperbolic contexts, like 'That movie was terrible!' |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'terrible' when describing something that causes strong negative feelings, like bad events or poor quality. Avoid in formal writing; consider alternatives like 'dreadful' or 'atrocious.' |
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Frequently asked questions: Awful vs Terrible
What's the difference between Awful and Terrible?
Awful: Very bad or terrible. Terrible: Very bad or awful.
Which is more advanced: Awful and Terrible?
Awful is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Awful and Terrible the same CEFR level?
Awful: A2, Terrible: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Awful and Terrible?
Awful: adjective, Terrible: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Awful: The weather was awful, and we decided to stay indoors. Terrible: The weather was terrible during our vacation.
Can I use Awful and Terrible interchangeably?
Not always. Awful and Terrible are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.