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Terribly vs Awfully - What's the difference?

terribly | awfully |

Awfully is a synonym of terribly.



As adverbs the difference between terribly and awfully

is that terribly is causing terror or awe while awfully is in a manner inspiring awe.

terribly

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • Causing terror or awe.
    • The lion roared terribly .
  • Very; extremely.
    • He's terribly busy and you really shouldn't bother him.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=December 15 , author=Felicity Cloake , title=How to cook the perfect nut roast , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=The parsnip, stilton and chestnut combination may taste good, but it's not terribly decorative. In fact, dull's the word, a lingering adjectival ghost of nut roasts past that I'm keen to banish from the table. Mary Berry wraps her version in strips of chargrilled aubergine but, although it looks rather smart, I worry that something so Mediterranean will stick out like a sore thumb on the plate, given that many vegetarians want to enjoy the same roast potatoes, sprouts and sauces as everyone else. Instead, inspired by the stuffed cabbage rolls eaten at Christmas in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, I use blanched savoy cabbage leaves to wrap my parsnippy parcel, adding a touch of festive greenery to the dish.}}
  • Very badly.
    • She even signed up for karaoke, although she sang terribly .

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives to which "terribly" is often applied: wrong, sorry, important, difficult, hard, afraid, sad, bad, expensive, long, upset, exciting, fast, excited, slow, cold, hot, busy, concerned, pleased, interesting, painful, funny, lonely, ill, good, tired, strong, confused, serious, fond, old, angry, anxious, effective, depressed, familiar, attractive, happy, poor, hungry, sick, big, nice, small, dull, clever, dirty, proud, disappointing, sweet, original, ashamed, efficient, successful, jealous, simple, strange, cruel.

    Synonyms

    * (very) very, extremely, awfully, horribly

    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