awfully crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on 'awfully crossword clue', you've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers for this clue, carefully categorized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to guide your crossword-solving journey. Don't let a single clue hold you back!
Solutions for "awfully crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
VERY: Indicates something to a high degree, as in "awfully good" meaning "very good."
OHSO: An informal intensifier, similar to "awfully," often used for emphasis.
REAL: An informal adverb meaning "very" or "extremely," as in "awfully tough" or "real tough."
5 Letters
BADLY: Describes something done in a poor or unsatisfactory manner, often directly answering "awfully" when it implies poor quality.
QUITE: Can mean "to a considerable extent" or "very," as in "awfully nice" or "quite nice."
8 Letters
TERRIBLY: A direct synonym for "awfully," meaning extremely or badly.
9 Letters
EXTREMELY: To a great extent, a common intensifier often clued by "awfully."
10 Letters
DREADFULLY: Another strong synonym for "awfully," implying a very bad or severe degree.
More About "awfully crossword clue"
The word "awfully" in a crossword clue can be a bit tricky because it has a dual nature. It can mean "very" or "extremely" (as in "awfully kind"), acting as an intensifier, or it can mean "badly" or "terribly" (as in "awfully played"). This ambiguity is often exploited by crossword setters to make clues more challenging and rewarding.
When encountering "awfully," it's crucial to look at the broader context of the clue and the surrounding letters you've already filled in. If the clue suggests a positive attribute (e.g., "awfully good"), then answers like VERY, REAL, or OHSO are likely. If it's describing a negative action or quality (e.g., "awfully sung"), then synonyms such as BADLY, TERRIBLY, or DREADFULLY become more fitting.
Understanding this nuanced meaning is key to successfully solving clues that involve adverbs of degree or manner. Our comprehensive list above covers the most common answers across various lengths, helping you decode the setter's intent no matter how "awfully" difficult the clue seems!
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Clue's Tone: For words like "awfully," determine if the clue implies a positive or negative connotation. This will often narrow down your potential answers significantly.
- Consider Parts of Speech: Crossword clues often hint at the required part of speech. "Awfully" is an adverb, so your answer will likely also be an adverb, describing an action or an adjective.
- Look for Synonyms and Antonyms: Sometimes, the answer isn't a direct synonym but an antonym of a word implied by "awfully," or a more common word used to express the same degree.
- Check for Hidden Words or Puns: Be aware that some clues might use a word like "awfully" in a less literal sense, or as part of a pun. Always keep an eye out for wordplay.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the correct answer if there are multiple options for "awfully"?
The best way to choose the correct answer is to consider the number of letters required and the context of the surrounding words in your crossword puzzle. For instance, if 'awfully' is part of 'awfully good,' the answer might be 'VERY' or 'REAL'. If it implies poor execution, 'BADLY' might be the fit.
What does "awfully" usually imply in crossword clues?
In crosswords, 'awfully' can imply two main things: either 'to a very great extent' (an intensifier, e.g., 'awfully good' meaning 'very good') or 'in a bad or poor manner' (e.g., 'awfully done' meaning 'badly done'). The context of the other words in the clue is key to determining which meaning is intended.
Are there common tricks for clues that imply 'degree' or 'manner'?
Yes, for 'degree' (how much) clues, look for adverbs like VERY, SO, REAL, QUITE, or EXTREMELY. For 'manner' (how something is done) clues, common answers are often adverbs ending in -LY like BADLY, TERRIBLY, or DREADFULLY. Always consider if the clue is asking for an intensifier or a descriptor of poor quality.