oppressing with fear or horror; appalling; terrible; as, an awful scene.-inspiring awe; filling with profound reverence, or with fear and admiration; fitted to inspire reverential fear; profoundly impressive.-struck or filled with awe; terror-stricken.-worshipful; reverential; law-abiding.-frightful; exceedingly bad; great; -- applied intensively; as, an awful bonnet; an awful boaster.