Definitions of awful:

  • adjective:   causing fear or dread or terror
    Example: "The awful war"
  • adjective:   offensive or even (of persons) malicious
  • adjective:   inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
    Example: "Awful worshippers with bowed heads"
  • adjective:   exceptionally bad or displeasing
    Example: "An awful voice"
  • adjective:   inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
    Example: "This sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath- Melville"
  • adverb:   used as intensifiers
    Example: "I'm awful sorry"