Awfull vs. Awful: Decoding the Right Spelling
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 4, 2024
"Awfull is incorrect spelling while Awful is correct, meaning extremely bad or unpleasant."
Which is correct: Awfull or Awful
How to spell Awful?
Awfull is Incorrect
Awful is Correct
How to remember correct spelling of Awful?
Remember, "Awful" aligns with the spelling of "lawful" where both words end with 'ful' not 'full'.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Associate "Awful" with "Powerful" where both words end in 'ful' instead of 'full'.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Visualize "Awful" as having a 'u' that stands alone without a double 'l', unlike in "Awfull".
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Think of "Awful" as "Aw" (expressing dismay) followed by "ful", not "full".
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Recall that "Awful" is spelled with just one 'l', similar to how "dreadful" only ends with one 'l'.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Awful Definitions
Used for emphasis or to express strong emotion.
That cake was awfully good!
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Dec 14, 2023
Deserving or causing disgust.
The condition of the abandoned building was awful.
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Dec 14, 2023
Commanding awe
"this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath" (Herman Melville).
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Oct 19, 2023
Filled with or displaying great reverence.
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Oct 19, 2023
(Obsolete) Afraid.
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Oct 19, 2023
Very bad.
My socks smell awful.
We saw such an awful film last night that we left the theater before the end.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Exceedingly great; usually applied intensively.
An awful bonnet
I have learnt an awful amount today.
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Oct 19, 2023
Causing fear or horror; appalling, terrible.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Inspiring awe; filling with profound reverence or respect; profoundly impressive.
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Oct 19, 2023
Struck or filled with awe or reverence.
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Oct 19, 2023
(obsolete) Terror-stricken.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
(colloquial) Awfully; dreadfully; terribly.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Very, extremely.
That's an awful big house.
She seemed awful nice when I met her yesterday.
He was blubbering away something awful.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Oppressing with fear or horror; appalling; terrible; as, an awful scene.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Inspiring awe; filling with profound reverence, or with fear and admiration; fitted to inspire reverential fear; profoundly impressive.
Heaven's awful Monarch.
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Oct 19, 2023
Struck or filled with awe; terror-stricken.
A weak and awful reverence for antiquity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Worshipful; reverential; law-abiding.
Thrust from the company of awful men.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Frightful; exceedingly bad; great; - applied intensively; as, an awful bonnet; an awful boaster.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Exceptionally bad or displeasing;
Atrocious taste
Abominable workmanship
An awful voice
Dreadful manners
A painful performance
Terrible handwriting
An unspeakable odor came sweeping into the room
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Oct 19, 2023
Causing fear or dread or terror;
The awful war
An awful risk
Dire news
A career or vengeance so direful that London was shocked
The dread presence of the headmaster
Polio is no longer the dreaded disease it once was
A dreadful storm
A fearful howling
Horrendous explosions shook the city
A terrible curse
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Oct 19, 2023
Offensive or even (of persons) malicious;
In a nasty mood
A nasty accident
A nasty shock
A nasty smell
A nasty trick to pull
Will he say nasty things at my funeral?
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Oct 19, 2023
Inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence;
Awed by the silence
Awful worshippers with bowed heads
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Oct 19, 2023
Inspiring awe or admiration or wonder;
New York is an amazing city
The Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring sight
The awesome complexity of the universe
This sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath
Westminster Hall's awing majesty, so vast, so high, so silent
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does "Awful" mean?
"Awful" means extremely bad, unpleasant, or of poor quality, often used to express a strong negative reaction to something.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
What is the origin of the word "Awful"?
"Awful" originates from the Old English word "aweful", meaning inspiring wonder, which over time evolved to its current negative meaning.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
How can I remember to use "Awful" instead of "Awfull"?
Remember that suffixes like '-ful' in English words are not doubled, as in "wonderful" or "beautiful".
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Is "Awful" a universally understood term in English?
Yes, "Awful" is widely understood in English-speaking countries and used to describe something extremely bad or unpleasant.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
What are synonyms for "Awful"?
Synonyms for "Awful" include terrible, dreadful, atrocious, and horrible.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Is "Awful" used in both formal and informal English?
"Awful" is more common in informal contexts, but it's also acceptable in formal settings depending on the tone and subject.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
How does the meaning of "Awful" change in different industries?
The core meaning of "Awful" remains largely the same across industries, indicating something negative or subpar.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Why is "Awfull" considered incorrect?
"Awfull" is a common misspelling. The correct form, "Awful", follows the standard English suffix '-ful', which is never doubled.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Does "Awful" have different meanings in British and American English?
The meaning of "Awful" is generally the same in both British and American English, although usage may vary slightly in colloquial speech.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Can "Awful" be used to describe a person?
Yes, "Awful" can describe a person, usually in a negative sense regarding their behavior or character.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Can "Awful" be used in a sarcastic context?
Yes, "Awful" can be used sarcastically, often to mean the opposite, especially when contextually clear.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
What is the antonym of "Awful"?
The antonym of "Awful" is "wonderful" or "excellent", indicating something very good or pleasant.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
How is "Awful" used in different contexts?
"Awful" can describe something extremely bad, worthy of fear, or even in a slightly positive sense as in 'awfully good'.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
How do digital platforms handle the use of "Awful"?
Digital platforms, especially writing and grammar tools, often correct the misspelling "Awfull" to "Awful".
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
Is "Awful" commonly misspelled?
"Awfull" is a common misspelling, but understanding the standard use of '-ful' suffix can help avoid this error.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 04, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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