awfully

aw-ful-ly · adverb

imported

Definitions

adverb

  1. 1.

    To a great extent; very much; extremely (used as an intensifier).

  2. 2.

    In a terrible or dreadful manner.

  3. 3.

    (Dated/British) Expressing polite emphasis or slight irony.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    awfully sorry — Very sorry; a polite expression of apology.
  • •
    awfully nice — Very nice; used in polite British speech.
  • •
    awfully good of you — Expression of gratitude.

Related words

Antonyms: barely, hardly, slightly
See also: awful, extremely, terribly, very
Synonyms: dreadfully, extremely, frightfully, terribly, very

Etymology

From English awful + -ly (adverb suffix). Like "awful," it underwent semantic bleaching to become primarily an intensifier meaning "very" or "extremely."