frightfully

IPA/ˈfraɪtfəli/
KK[frˈaɪtfəli]IPA/ˈfraɪtfəli/

frightfully — adverb

1. a word used before adjectives or adverbs to make their meaning stronger, similar

1.adverbB2
Definition

a word used before adjectives or adverbs to make their meaning stronger, similar to 'very' or 'extremely'. It is commonly used in informal British English and often gives a slightly old-fashioned or upper-class tone to what someone says.

Example

Lord Winthorpe looked frightfully uncomfortable in his stiff collar at the ceremony.

frightfully + adjective after linking verb

A plate of frightfully expensive oysters sat untouched on the buffet table.

Common collocations
  • frightfully sorry
  • frightfully good
  • frightfully nice
  • frightfully boring
  • frightfully expensive
  • frightfully awkward
  • frightfully embarrassing
  • frightfully difficult
Synonyms
  • very

    neutral, cross-register default — the most common intensifier in English

  • terribly

    similar British informal intensifier with the same 'awful' etymology, slightly more common in modern speech

  • awfully

    very close in tone and register to 'frightfully', also British informal and mildly old-fashioned

  • dreadfully

    stronger and more emotional than 'frightfully'; implies real distress or disappointment

Grammar Patterns

frightfully + adjective

frightfully + adverb

Usage Note

This sense is primarily British and informal. Frequent use can sound dated or posh — modern British speakers often prefer 'really', 'very', or 'absolutely' in everyday speech. It typically appears with adjectives describing personal feelings, social situations, or judgements (sorry, good, nice, boring, expensive, awkward, difficult).

Common Mistakes

The roller coaster was frightfully scary' (using it for literal fear).
The roller coaster was terrifyingly scary
'frightfully' as an intensifier does not carry literal fear; use 'frighteningly' or 'terrifyingly' for literal fear.
I am frightfully tired' (sounds dated/posh in casual conversation).
I am really tired
in everyday contexts, 'frightfully' sounds overly formal or old-fashioned; use 'very' or 'really' for neutral emphasis.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words serve as intensifiers meaning 'to a high degree', but they differ in register, emotional weight, and regional use. 'Very' is the neutral, universal choice — suitable in any context, from academic writing to casual chat. 'Terribly' and 'awfully' are both British informal intensifiers that emerged from the same 'fear-based' etymology as 'frightfully'. 'Terribly' is the most current of the three in modern British speech ('I'm terribly sorry'), while 'awfully' sits slightly closer to old-fashioned upper-class usage ('That's awfully kind of you'). 'Dreadfully' carries the strongest emotional charge, implying real sadness or anxiety ('She was dreadfully upset by the news'). 'Frightfully' is the most dated of the set — a modern British speaker under 40 might use it playfully or ironically, whereas an older speaker from a traditional upper-class background might use it sincerely. In American English, none of these three are common; 'very' or 'really' are preferred.

very ↗terribly ↗awfully ↗dreadfully ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEarly Modern EnglishModern English

Formed from 'fright' (an old word for sudden fear, from Old English 'fyrhto') + '-ful' (full of) + '-ly' (adverb suffix). Originally, in the 16th century, it meant 'in a way that causes fright or terror', like the modern word 'frighteningly'. Over the 18th and 19th centuries, it developed into a general intensifier through the same process of exaggeration that turned 'terribly' and 'awfully' from words about fear into words meaning 'very'. The intensifier sense became strongly associated with upper-class British speech in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.