What's the difference between awful and awesome?

Question

What’s the difference between awful and awesome? – Ravi, US

Answer

In their most common uses, these two adjectives have nearly opposite meanings. Awful means “extremely bad or unpleasant,” and awesome means “extremely good,” as shown in the examples below. 

• The music was awful. We left as soon as we could. 
• They heard the most awful sounds.  

• We had an awesome time at the concert.  
• You did an awesome job on that paper. I'm sure you got a good grade. 

It is important to be aware that awesome can also be used to mean “inspiring feelings of fear and amazement,” as in the example below, but this is a less much common use. 

• I will always remember the awesome sight of the erupting volcano.   

For additional details, please see the entries for awful and awesome in Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary Online.