awfully
gb/ˈɔfəli/ us/ˈɔfəli/
B1
Inglês
~ 5800
Aceções
0 aceções
adverb
informal
B1
property
1
very; extremely (intensifier)
Used before an adjective or adverb to mean ‘very’ or ‘extremely’, often in friendly or casual talk.
Padrão de uso:
awfully + [adjective/adverb]; (be) awfully + [adjective]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes think ‘awfully’ is always negative because it looks like ‘awful’. In this sense, it can be used with both positive and negative adjectives (e.g. ‘awfully nice’, ‘awfully bad’). They also sometimes overuse it in formal writing, where ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ is usually better.
Sinónimos
very (The most common general intensifier; slightly more neutral and less emotional than ‘awfully’.)
|
extremely (Stronger and a bit more formal; often used in writing or careful speech.)
Antónimos
slightly (Shows only a small degree of something, the opposite of the strong degree in ‘awfully’.)
|
a bit (Informal expression for a small degree, contrasting with the strong emphasis of ‘awfully’.)
Colocações
awfully sorry
|awfully nice
|awfully good
|awfully hard
|awfully cold
|awfully late
Temas
daily life
|feelings
|communication
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- I’m awfully sorry I’m late.
- It was awfully kind of you to help me move.
- The room gets awfully cold at night.
- She’s awfully good at solving puzzles.
- This week has been awfully busy for all of us.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- This coffee is awfully hot.
- He is awfully tired after work.
- It was awfully nice to see you.
- The bus is awfully slow today.
- I feel awfully stupid about that mistake.
adverb
B2
property
2
very badly; unpleasantly
In a very bad or unkind way.
Padrão de uso:
to treat [someone] awfully; to do [something] awfully
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the ‘very; extremely’ sense and use ‘awfully’ before an adjective when they really mean ‘in a very bad way’. For example, ‘He was awfully to me’ is incorrect; it should be ‘He treated me awfully’ or ‘He was awful to me.’
Sinónimos
terribly (Very close in meaning; can sound slightly more dramatic or emotional.)
|
badly (More general and slightly less emotional than ‘awfully’.)
Antónimos
well (Describes doing something in a good way, the opposite of doing it ‘awfully’.)
|
nicely (Suggests kind or pleasant behaviour, opposite to treating someone ‘awfully’.)
Colocações
treat [someone] awfully
|behave awfully
|play awfully
|suffer awfully
Temas
behaviour
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemplos
- They treated the new employee awfully until she complained.
- Our team played awfully in the first half and lost the game.
- The refugees suffered awfully during the long winter.
- He spoke awfully to his parents and later regretted it.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He treated his little brother awfully.
- The students behaved awfully in class today.
- The movie ended awfully, and everyone was upset.
- She felt awfully after she shouted at her friend.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
awfully
IPA
GB/ˈɔfəli/
US/ˈɔfəli/
Sílabas e acento
aw - fully (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (aw)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: awfully
- Plural: awfullies
Família de palavras
Expressões
awfully kind of you
1/ˈɔfəli kˈaɪnd əv jˈu/
fixed phrase
informal
very kind of you
Used to thank someone and say that their action was very kind.
Exemplos
- It’s awfully kind of you to look after the kids tonight.
- That was awfully kind of you to lend me your car.
awfully nice of you
1/ˈɔfəli nˈaɪs əv jˈu/
fixed phrase
informal
very kind of you
Used to say that what someone did was very kind.
Exemplos
- It was awfully nice of you to bring flowers.
- That’s awfully nice of you to offer to help.
awfully sorry
1/ˈɔfəli sˈɑɹi/
fixed phrase
informal
very sorry; deeply apologetic
Used to say that you are very sorry about something.
Exemplos
- I’m awfully sorry about the noise last night.
- We’re awfully sorry we had to cancel the meeting.
I’m awfully afraid (that...)
1/ˈaɪm ˈɔfəli əfɹˈeɪd ðˈæt |/
fixed phrase
informal
polite way to give bad news
A polite way to introduce bad news or something the listener may not like, often showing you are sorry.
Exemplos
- I’m awfully afraid we’re fully booked this evening.
- I’m awfully afraid that you’ve missed the last train.