crossword clue awful – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're stuck on the clue "awful" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of potential answers, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you across the finish line.
Solutions for "crossword clue awful" by Letter Count
Below are the most common answers for "awful", categorized by their length to help you find the perfect fit for your puzzle grid.
3 Letters
BAD: Meaning 'poor' or 'inferior'; a very common and direct synonym for awful.
4 Letters
DIRE: Suggesting something very serious, urgent, or dreadful in consequence.
FOUL: Indicating something highly unpleasant, offensive, or morally repugnant.
5 Letters
NASTY: Describing something unpleasant, disagreeable, or malicious.
LOUSY: An informal term for something very bad, poor, or unpleasant.
7 Letters
ABYSMAL: Meaning extremely bad or dreadful, often used to describe performance or quality.
8 Letters
TERRIBLE: Synonymous with extremely bad, severe, or dreadful.
DREADFUL: Causing or involving great suffering, fear, or unhappiness; extremely bad.
9 Letters
APPALLING: Causing dismay or horror; dreadful or shocking.
More About "crossword clue awful"
The word "awful" carries a strong negative connotation, broadly encompassing concepts from very poor quality to terrifying or dreadful. In crosswords, it's a versatile clue that can lead to a wide range of synonyms depending on the number of letters required and the specific nuance the puzzle setter intends. Understanding these nuances is key to selecting the correct answer.
Historically, "awful" originally meant "full of awe," suggesting something inspiring profound reverence or fear. Over time, its meaning shifted to primarily denote something extremely bad or unpleasant. This semantic evolution is fascinating and sometimes crossword setters might even play on the older meaning, though this is less common for straightforward clues.
When solving, consider the context of the puzzle. Is it a lighthearted daily puzzle, or a more challenging cryptic crossword? The type of puzzle can often hint at whether a common synonym like "BAD" is expected, or a more obscure or archaic term. Always cross-reference with any letters already filled in your grid.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Brainstorm Synonyms: For clues like "awful," immediately list all synonyms that come to mind: bad, terrible, horrible, dreadful, dire, nasty, vile, abysmal, appalling, shocking, etc.
- Check Letter Count: Once you have a list, filter by the number of letters needed for the answer. This is often the quickest way to narrow down possibilities.
- Consider Nuance: Some synonyms for "awful" have slightly different connotations (e.g., "dire" implies urgency, "nasty" implies unpleasantness). If other words in the clue hint at a specific nuance, choose the most fitting synonym.
- Use Existing Letters: If you have letters already filled in the grid from intersecting words, use them as a guide. They will quickly confirm or rule out potential answers.
- Think Outside the Box: If common synonyms don't fit, consider less common or archaic words that fit the definition. Sometimes, a setter will use a more obscure term to challenge solvers.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find a crossword answer when you only have the clue 'awful'?
When faced with a clue like 'awful', start by brainstorming direct synonyms such as 'terrible', 'dreadful', 'bad', 'horrible', or 'abysmal'. Then, look at the number of letters required for the answer, and cross-reference your synonyms to find one that fits the length and any existing letters in the grid.
What are common themes or contexts for the clue 'awful' in crosswords?
The clue 'awful' typically points to words describing something of very poor quality, unpleasantness, severe negativity, or a disastrous situation. It can relate to feelings (e.g., 'grim'), states of being (e.g., 'dire'), or descriptions of objects/events (e.g., 'rotten'). Pay attention to the specific wordplay or context if the clue seems unusual.
Are there any common crossword tricks related to clues like 'awful'?
While 'awful' is often a direct definition, some crossword setters might use it for wordplay. For example, 'Awful beginning?' could be 'A'. Another trick is to use an archaic or less common synonym to trip up solvers. Always consider the possibility of homophones or anagrams if the answer doesn't immediately jump out.