agape

1 of 2

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈgāp How to pronounce agape (audio)
 also  -ˈgap
1
: wide open : gaping
with mouth agape
2
: being in a state of wonder
stood agape before the gothic cathedral

agape

2 of 2

noun

Examples of agape in a Sentence

Adjective or adverb at the sound of the sleigh bells the children were all agape, waiting for Santa to appear
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective or adverb
Even those who, so far, only long to work with Lange stood with mouths agape. Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 17 June 2024 Most of the crowd at the Dunkin’ admires from afar, mouths slightly agape, nerves too jittery to go up and say hi. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2024 Its large mouth is agape, revealing dozens of tiny, sharp teeth. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024 The record stops spinning, and fellow Barbies and Kens stop dancing and stare with mouths agape. Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for agape 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'agape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective or adverb

a- entry 1 + gape entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Late Latin agapē, borrowed from Greek agápē "brotherly love," back-formation from agapân "to regard with affection, be fond of, be contented (with)" or agapázein "to welcome warmly," perhaps from a base *aga-pā- "lavish protection, attention or affection (on)," literally, "protect greatly," going back to Indo-European *m̥ǵh2- "large, great" + *peh2- "protect" — more at much entry 1, fur entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of agape was in 1536

Dictionary Entries Near agape

Cite this Entry

“Agape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agape. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

agape

adjective
ə-ˈgāp,
 also  ə-ˈgap
: having the mouth open in wonder or surprise
the crowd stood agape at the sight

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