Definition of: awful

(ô′fəl) adjective
1. Inspiring or suited to inspire awe; majestically or solemnly impressive.
2. Inspiring fear; terrible; dreadful.
3. Colloq. Exceedingly bad, monotonous, or unpleasant; ugly.
4. Colloq. Exceedingly great.
5. Filled with awe; reverential. Also Scot. aw·fu' (ô′f).
—aw′ful·ness noun Synonyms: alarming, appalling, august, dire, direful, dread, dreadful, fearful, frightful, grand, horrible, imposing, majestic, noble, portentous, shocking, solemn, stately, terrible, terrific. In careful speech awful should not be used of things which are merely disagreeable or annoying, nor of all that are alarming and terrible, but only of such as bring a solemn awe upon the soul, as in the presence of a superior power; as, the awful hush before a battle. We speak of an exalted station, a grand mountain, an imposing presence, a majestic cathedral, a noble mien, a solemn litany, a stately march, an august assembly. See FRIGHTFUL, GRAND. Antonyms: base, beggarly, commonplace, contemptible, despicable, humble, inferior, lowly, mean, paltry, undignified, vulgar.