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How To Sign AWFUL
in American Sign Language.
ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "AWFUL" in American Sign Language (ASL), use your dominant hand in a "5" handshape starting at your forehead, then quickly pull it away while closing into a fist, showing disgust and rejection of something terrible.
📖 Word definition
Extremely bad, unpleasant, or of poor quality; causing fear, dread, or revulsion.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide

  1. Hand Shape: Start with "5" handshape (all fingers extended), end in closed fist.
  2. Starting Position: Dominant hand at forehead level, palm facing inward.
  3. Movement: Quick pull away from forehead while closing hand into fist.
  4. Path: Sharp, decisive movement away from face showing rejection.
  5. Hand Orientation: Palm starts facing head, ends facing down as fist.
  6. Facial Expression: Disgusted expression with furrowed brow and downturned mouth.

⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid

❌ Slow movement: Use quick, sharp motion to show strong negative feeling.

❌ Wrong starting position: Start at forehead, not chest or neutral space.

❌ Neutral expression: Show disgust on your face to match the meaning.

❌ Incomplete handshape change: Must close from open "5" to tight fist.

💬 Common Sentence Examples

"The weather is awful today."
How to sign: Sign "weather" (W hands wiggle alternately) → sign "awful" (5 hand pulls from forehead to fist) → sign "today" (Y hands drop down twice).
"That movie was awful."
How to sign: Sign "that" (point with index finger) → sign "movie" (5 hand shakes against flat palm) → sign "was" (W hand moves back) → sign "awful".
"I feel awful about it."
How to sign: Sign "I" (point to self) → sign "feel" (middle finger touches chest) → sign "awful" → sign "about" (index finger circles around other index) → sign "it" (point to object/situation).