etymology · 1300s–1700s
awful
Drift #18 · May 30, 2026 · emotion
Meaning comparison
Today it means
terrible; very bad; dreadful
It used to mean (1300s–1700s)
inspiring awe; commanding reverential fear
Etymology
'Awful' originally meant 'full of awe' — inspiring profound reverence, dread, or wonder. Like 'terrible' and 'dreadful,' it began as a mark of supreme, almost sacred power, and gradually weakened until it simply meant 'very bad.' The same fate befell 'awesome,' though that word has since reversed course.
The Drift
How the meaning shifted over time
the drift
In Historical Context
The congregation fell silent before the awful presence of the cathedral, its spires reaching heavenward as if God himself had shaped the stone.
drift fact
The phrase 'awful majesty of God' was once entirely sincere — awful meant the highest possible reverence.
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