emphasis You can use awful with noun groups that refer to an amount in order to emphasize how large that amount is. I've got an awful lot of work to do. = tremendous + awfully aw·ful·ly Would you mind awfully waiting a bit, I'll be back right away. = terribly
If you say that something is awful, you mean that it is extremely unpleasant, shocking, or bad. Her injuries were massive. It was awful Some of their offences are so awful they would chill the blood. = horrific
If you say that someone or something is awful, you dislike that person or thing or you think that they are not very good. We met and I thought he was awful an awful smell of paint Even if the weather's awful there's lots to do Jeans look awful on me. = dreadful wonderful + awfulness aw·ful·ness The programme's awfulness has ensured it is talked about