dreadfully

adv.

In a dreadful manner; terribly. Dryden.

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adverb

To a high degree: awfully, eminently, exceedingly, exceptionally, extra, extremely, greatly, highly, most, notably, very. Informal awful. Chiefly Regional mighty. See big/small/amount.

IN BRIEF: In a fearful manner; terribly; In an extremely bad, unpleasant or ugly manner.

It's a dreadfully unjust world. — Louisa May Alcott, Source: Meg, in Little Women, pt. 1, ch. 15, 1868

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The adverb has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: of a dreadful kind
  Synonyms: awfully, horribly
  Derived from adjective: dreadful (meaning #3)

Meaning #2: in a dreadful manner
  Synonym: dismally
  Derived from adjective: dreadful (meaning #2)

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