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Awfully vs Dreadfully - What's the difference?

awfully | dreadfully | Synonyms |

Awfully is a synonym of dreadfully.


As adverbs the difference between awfully and dreadfully

is that awfully is in a manner inspiring awe while dreadfully is in a dreadful manner.

awfully

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In a manner inspiring awe.
  • Reverently.
  • Badly, terribly.
    • She led after the swiming and cycling, but ran awfully and came in fourth.
  • (not comparable) Very; exceedingly; extremely; excessively.
  • * 1912 , , The Grim Smile of the Five Towns , Project Gutenberg eText.
    • It was wondrous. 'I'm awfully glad I came now,' his thought ran; 'I'm managing it rather well.'
  • (obsolete) Fearfully.

    • Usage notes

    * Adjectives to which "awfully" is often applied: good, hard, sad, nice, sorry, long, quiet, big, glad, familiar, well, difficult, tired, bad, hot, high, busy, pretty, small, cold, funny, expensive, fond, important, young, interesting, jolly, short, proud, clever, boring, strange, happy, lonely, stupid, strong, sick, pleased, old, hungry, afraid, silly.

    Synonyms

    * (very) very, extremely, terribly

    dreadfully

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a dreadful manner.
  • Exceptionally, eminently, very much.