Awful Good
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "awful good" is a colorful way of saying something is very good or extremely enjoyable.
synonyms: very good, mighty good, real good, powerful good
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Papaw cleaned his plate and leaned back, saying, "That pie was awful good," and everybody at the table knew he meant it. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Papaw cleaned his plate and leaned back, saying, "That pie was awful good," and everybody at the table knew he meant it. Pronunciation
[AW-ful good]
/ˈɔː.fəl ɡʊd/
/ˈɔː.fəl ɡʊd/
Meaning & Usage
- Extremely good (expression)
Hazel:
How was the cobbler?
How was the cobbler?
Earl:
Awful good. Might get me another piece.
Awful good. Might get me another piece.variations: awful tasty, awful nice
★ "Awful" here doesn’t mean bad-it flips into a positive intensifier. When Southerners say something’s "awful good," they’re really bragging on it. ★
Origin and Etymology
This use of "awful" as a magnifier goes back to older English, but in Southern and Appalachian speech it stuck around long after it faded elsewhere. "Awful good" became a set phrase for praise, especially of food or pleasant experiences.
Usage Notes
- Commonly used to praise food, gatherings, or company.
- Heard across Appalachia and the South, still in regular use.
- Part of a larger set of colorful Southern intensifiers ("mighty good," "real fine," "powerful sweet").
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 30). Awful Good. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/awful-good
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Awful Good." HillbillySlang.com, 30 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/awful-good.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Awful Good." HillbillySlang.com. September 30, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/awful-good.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...