Definition

Adverb: - To a very great degree; extremely; very: Used as an intensifier to emphasize the extent or degree of something, often implying a sense of excess or being overwhelming.

Usage

The word "frightfully" is used to intensify an adjective or another adverb. It is a formal or somewhat old-fashioned intensifier, similar to "terribly," "awfully," or "extremely." It does not literally mean "in a frightening manner" in this common usage.

Examples

• Modifying an adjective:

  • The lecture was frightfully interesting. (The lecture was extremely interesting.)
  • She was frightfully sorry for being late. (She was very sorry for being late.)
  • It's frightfully cold outside today. (It is extremely cold outside today.)

• Modifying an adverb:

  • He drove frightfully fast. (He drove terribly fast.)
  • The meeting ended frightfully late. (The meeting ended very late.)

Advanced Usage

• As a social intensifier: In certain dialects or social contexts, particularly in older British English, "frightfully" can be used as a colloquial intensifier that may sound exaggerated or upper-class.
  • He's a frightfully nice chap. (He is a very nice fellow.)
  • That's frightfully kind of you. (That is terribly kind of you.)

Variants and Related Words

• Frightful (adjective): Very bad, unpleasant, or serious.
  • We encountered frightful weather on the hike. (We encountered very bad weather on the hike.)
• Fright (noun): A sudden intense feeling of fear.
  • The loud noise gave me a fright. (The loud noise scared me.)

Synonyms

• Terribly: Used to emphasize the extent of something.
• Awfully: Very; used for emphasis.
• Extremely: To a very great degree.
• Exceedingly: To an extreme degree.
• Very: In a high degree.

Antonyms

• Slightly: To a small degree; not considerably.
• Barely: Only just; almost not.
• Hardly: Only just; scarcely.

Notes on Meaning

While the core meaning of "frightfully" as an adverb is "extremely," it is important to note its root in the word "fright." In literal or archaic usage, it can mean "in a frightening way," but this is now rare. The primary modern use is as an intensifier. - Rare/Literal meaning: In a manner that causes fright. - The ghost appeared frightfully from the shadows. (The ghost appeared in a frightening manner from the shadows.)

Adverb

1. used as intensifiers
   • terribly interesting
   • I'm awful sorry