'woefully' originates from English, specifically from the adjective 'woeful' (Middle English), formed from 'woe' + suffix '-ful', where 'woe' ultimately comes from Old English 'wēa' meaning 'woe' or 'sorrow'.

'woeful' developed in Middle English from Old English elements ('wēa'/'wā' meaning 'woe') plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ful'; the adverb 'woefully' later formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' (from Old English '-līc'/'-lic').

Initially, the adjective meant 'full of woe' (sorrowful); over time the adverbial form came to be used both to mean 'in a sorrowful manner' and figuratively 'to a regrettably large or inadequate degree' (intensifier).