awe

[aw]

noun

1. an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like.

   in awe of God; in awe of great political figures.

   Synonyms: veneration, wonder
   Antonyms: contempt, apathy

2. Archaic.,  power to inspire fear or reverence.

3. Obsolete.,  fear or dread.

verb (used with object)

awed, awing 

1. to inspire with awe.

2. to influence or restrain by awe.

awe

/ ɔː /

noun

1. overwhelming wonder, admiration, respect, or dread

2. archaic,  power to inspire fear or reverence

verb

1. (tr) to inspire with reverence or dread

Other Word Forms

• aweless adjective
• outawe verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of awe¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English aghe, awe, from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse agi “fear,” cognate with Gothic agis, Old English ege, Greek áchos “pain”

Word History and Origins

Origin of awe¹

C13: from Old Norse agi; related to Gothic agis fear, Greek akhesthai to be grieved

Example Sentences

Helton planned to bring his Georgia Southern players to the Coliseum on Friday to get the shock and awe out of the way early.

From Los Angeles Times

“In the same way that Cora is slightly in awe of Mary because she represents this new sort of woman, I felt like, as an actress, the same about Michelle.”

From Los Angeles Times

"To be able to see these significant parts of the wreck, it was truly awe inspiring," said Leighton Rolley, Science Systems Manager at REV Ocean.

From BBC

"The fight for justice, fighting and fighting to change this 800-year-old law to pave the way for other families, is just such an inspiration, so I was just in awe of her."

From BBC

Coming from a historically Black college and university, I would see the marching bands and I was in awe.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alarm 
• astonish 
• daunt 
• dazzle 
• flabbergast 
• frighten 
• horrify 
• impress 
• intimidate 
• scare 
• startle 
• stun 
• stupefy 
• terrify