awful

Definition

Very bad.

Etymology

From Middle English agheful, awfull, auful, aȝefull, equivalent to awe + -ful. Compare Old English eġeful, eġefull (“terrifying; awful”). The “very bad” sense is a pejorative semantic shift from the original sense of “awe-inspiring”.

Example Sentences

• "The smell of my socks is awful."
• "We saw such an awful film last night that we left the theater before the end."
• "an awful bonnet"