awful

Where does the word "awful" come from? It comes from Old Norse agi, passing through Middle English before entering English (1809).

Awful’s story begins in Old Norse: agi meant “awe, terror.” 'terror, fear', brought by Viking settlers; it replaced the native Old English ege. By 1300s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as agheful. 'awe' + '-ful': worthy of reverent fear, as God or a king was. It reached English by 1809 as awful. The weakened sense 'very bad' is recorded by 1809; in 1794 Hester Lynch Piozzi had already scolded well-bred ladies for using 'awful' too lightly. Today, awful means very bad or unpleasant; (old) inspiring awe.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · 900s agi "awe, terror", 'terror, fear', brought by Viking settlers; it replaced the native Old English ege.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1300s agheful "awe-inspiring", 'awe' + '-ful': worthy of reverent fear, as God or a king was.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1809 awful "very bad", the weakened sense 'very bad' is recorded by 1809; in 1794 Hester Lynch Piozzi had already scolded well-bred ladies for using 'awful' too lightly.