1. (a.) Oppressing with fear or horror; appalling; terrible; as, an awful scene.

2. (a.) Inspiring awe; filling with profound reverence, or with fear and admiration; fitted to inspire reverential fear; profoundly impressive.

3. (a.) Struck or filled with awe; terror-stricken.

4. (a.) Worshipful; reverential; law-abiding.

5. (a.) Frightful; exceedingly bad; great; -- applied intensively; as, an awful bonnet; an awful boaster.