Basic Details
Word: Awful
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very bad or unpleasant.
Synonyms: Terrible, dreadful, horrible
Antonyms: Wonderful, marvellous, excellent
Idioms and Phrases
- Awful lot: A large amount of something. Example: "He has an awful lot of homework to finish this weekend."
- Awful nice: Sarcastically describing something that is not nice at all. Example: "It was awful nice of you to forget about my birthday!"
Usage Examples
Example 1: The weather today is awful; it’s pouring with rain and very windy.
Example 2: She had an awful experience at the amusement park when the rides were closed.
Example 3: The food at the restaurant was awful, and we decided not to return.
Fun Fact
The word "awful" originally meant "full of awe" in Old English. Over time, its meaning changed to describe something that causes fear or dread, leading to its current definition.
Famous Quote
"There is nothing awful, nothing that cannot be born." - Rainer Maria Rilke
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "awful" mean?
a) Very good
b) Very bad
c) Very fast
d) Very bright
Answer: b) Very bad
2. Which of these is a synonym of "awful"?
a) Excellent
b) Terrible
c) Funny
d) Charming
Answer: b) Terrible
3. Which of these words is an antonym of "awful"?
a) Dreadful
b) Wonderful
c) Horrible
d) Bad
Answer: b) Wonderful
4. Which sentence uses "awful" correctly?
a) He had an awful time at the park because it was fun.
b) The soup tasted awful, and nobody wanted to eat it.
c) The weather was awful, so they decided to go swimming.
d) She gave him an awful smile when he complimented her.
Answer: b) The soup tasted awful, and nobody wanted to eat it.
5. What does the idiom "awful lot" refer to?
a) A small amount
b) A large amount
c) Something very nice
d) Something very scary
Answer: b) A large amount
