easy
The soup tasted awful after too much salt.
What does Awful mean?
Awful means very bad or unpleasant.
Dictionary definition
Very bad or unpleasant.
Example sentences
Awful in a sentence
medium
The awful storm knocked branches onto the road.
hard
The character felt awful after realizing the mistake hurt a friend.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice awful in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Awful
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does awful mean?
Awful describes something very bad, unpleasant, or upsetting.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to awful?
Terrible is close in meaning to awful in this dictionary entry.
Practice 3
Which word is an antonym of awful?
Wonderful contrasts with awful in this dictionary entry.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Awful
Voice settings
Sounds like
aw · ful · strongest beat: aw
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordAwful.
Partadjective.
MeaningAwful means very bad or unpleasant.
ExampleExample: The soup tasted awful after too much salt.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- aw · ful
- Strongest beat
- aw
- Ending
- ful
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on aw.
Your turn
Say Awful
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Nice work—you practiced awful.
Synonyms
Words like Awful
terribleUse when something is very bad.
unpleasantUse when something is not enjoyable or comfortable.
Antonyms
Opposite words
wonderfulUse when something is very good or pleasant.
excellentUse when something is very good.
Synonym practice
Want to practice awful synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The child had a bad dream and woke up crying," then compare close word choices. Practice awful synonyms.
Word family
Awful word family
Base word
awful
adverb
awfully
Very, or in a bad way, depending on context.
noun
awfulness
The quality of being very bad or unpleasant.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Awful
Hint for students
Awful means very bad or unpleasant.
Common mix-up
Awful is not the same as wonderful. Awful means awful means very bad or unpleasant.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: The awful storm knocked branches onto the road. Clue words: storm, knocked, branches. Underline clue words that show why awful fits instead of wonderful. Now write one new sentence that shows awful without using the word awful. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show awful?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The awful storm knocked branches onto the road." Why does awful fit better than wonderful?
Learning activities
Practice Awful and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice AWFUL” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice AWFUL
Sentence Builder
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