• 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"

Related words...