How Do You Spell AWFULLY?

Pronunciation: [ˈɔːfəlɪ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "awfully" can be confusing because it does not follow the typical pronunciation rules of English. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is written as /ˈɔːfəli/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "aw" sound is pronounced as a long "o" sound, which may be unfamiliar to non-native speakers. The "-ly" ending is pronounced as "li," with a silent "e." Despite its unusual spelling, "awfully" is commonly used as an adverb to describe something very or extremely.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling word
Basic Check Advanced Check

AWFULLY Meaning and Definition

  1. The adverb "awfully" embodies various meanings depending on its context. When used in the sense of something being terribly, exceedingly, or greatly, "awfully" denotes a high degree of intensity or extremity. It emphasizes the severity or intensity of a situation, experience, or feeling. For instance, if someone says, "I feel awfully tired," they imply feeling extremely fatigued or exhausted.

    In a similar vein, "awfully" can express something that is unpleasant, distressing, or disheartening. It conveys a negative connotation and emphasizes the undesirability or displeasure of a situation or event. For instance, if someone states, "I received awfully disappointing news today," it implies the news was profoundly distressing or dissatisfying.

    Furthermore, "awfully" can also be used as an intensifier to imply excessive extent or magnitude. It amplifies the degree or extent of something that is already considerable or notable. For instance, if someone says, "That was an awfully long movie," it suggests that the movie was excessively lengthy or seemed interminable.

    Overall, the adverb "awfully" serves to intensify the severity, negativity, or extent of something. By using "awfully," speakers seek to express a high degree of intensity, unpleasantness, or magnification within a given context.

Top Common Misspellings for AWFULLY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for AWFULLY

Etymology of AWFULLY

The word "awfully" originated from the Middle English term "aȝfulliche", which was derived from the Old English "egefullīce". This word formation consists of two elements: "egefull", meaning "full of fear" or "frightening", and "-liche", an Old English adverbial suffix indicating manner or condition. Over time, "aȝfulliche" transformed into "awful" + "-ly" in modern English, and the adverb "awfully" emerged, keeping its original sense of "in a manner inspiring awe or fear". However, the meaning of "awfully" has since evolved to convey intensity or excessiveness rather than solely conveying dread or fear.

Idioms with the word AWFULLY

  • Thanks awfully. The idiom "Thanks awfully" is an informal expression used to express gratitude. It is typically used in a sarcastic or exaggerated manner to show appreciation in a lighthearted or joking way.

Similar spelling word for AWFULLY

Infographic

Correct spelling for awfully
Add the infographic to your website: