awe

noun \ ˈȯ \

|Updated on: 1 Aug 2018

Definition of awe

1 : an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime

stood in awe of the king

regard nature's wonders with awe

2 archaic

a : dread, terror

b : the power to inspire dread

See awe defined for English-language learners

See awe defined for kids

Examples of awe in a Sentence

Clem gasped in awe. Inches from the shelf stood a column of scrimshaw the likes of which he'd never seen. —Al Michaud, Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 2005
I expected to be impressed by Machu Picchu, but now that we're here, standing in the clouds atop the world, I'm more than impressed—I'm in awe. Machu Picchu is actually better than photographs suggest, more a timeless way station than archaeological ruin. —Patrick J. Kelly, Traveler, May/June 2005
Organs began to appear in American churches early in the eighteenth century. Their glorious tones promised to harmonize cacophonous congregational singers and to inspire worshippers with a reverential sense of awe, bestirring them to moral improvement. —Jonathan D. Sarna, American Judaism, 2004
It was a sight that filled me with awe and reverence.
a person who inspires feelings of awe in others

Recent Examples of awe from the Web

Whilst the Reds were always expected to win the match, Fabinho put in a very confident performance, leaving fans in awe of their new midfield maestro.

— SI.com, "Liverpool Fans Rave Over 'Classy' New Signing After Performance in Pre-Season Friendly," 11 July 2018
What isn’t possible, however, is failing to be completely in awe of her beauty.

— annabel davidson, A-LIST, "Purple Reign: Ella Purnell in Vanity Fair On Jewellery," 5 July 2018
Westworld was still able to get away wit broad clichés, like the defeated samurai committing seppuku and the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Fuji, because the idea is that this whole plotline was cooked up by Lee Sizemore, hack supreme.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Westworld: From Cradle to Grave," 28 May 2018
Translating the limitless potential of comic book pages — comparatively free of the restrictions, budgetary and otherwise, that can hamper action filmmaking — into something awe-inspiring onscreen is a lot easier said than done.

— alex abad-santos, Vox, "Deadpool 2 might be the most entertaining superhero movie of the year," 15 May 2018
The seventh inning produced two runs, the last after Marwin Gonzalez's bloop, bases-loaded single against Justin Anderson, the Houston native who, just yesterday, was in awe of making his Major League debut against his hometown team.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Angels hand Astros second straight loss," 25 Apr. 2018
The town floods with folks who stand in awe as our Chamber of Commerce–sponsored parade begins with F-15 fighter planes flying overhead.

— joe jackson, Outside Online, "Chubbies American Flag Shorts Are Perfect for Hiking," 2 July 2018
Warren’s Caitlyn Britton looked at her sophomore numbers in awe.

— bob narang, Lake County News-Sun, "Warren's Caitlyn Britton is the News-Sun Softball Player of the Year," 27 June 2018
The tornado was part of a violent yet visually stunning complex of storms that left storm chasers in awe.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "Tornado injures 8 in Kansas town, part of towering, ‘jaw-dropping’ complex of storms (Photos)," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'awe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of awe

Middle English, from Old Norse agi; akin to Old English ege awe, Greek achos pain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

awe Synonyms

awe

verb \ ˈȯ \

Definition of awe

awed; awing

transitive verb

: to inspire or fill with awe

We were awed by the beauty of the mountains.

See awe defined for English-language learners

Examples of awe in a Sentence

We stood at an impasse. If she thought she was getting my bags, she was nuts. I was still awed that they had actually made it through baggage claim in one piece; there was no way I was parting with them now. —Helene Cooper, The House At Sugar Beach, 2008
Most relative neophytes are so awed by having been accepted into the priesthood of specialty medicine and so reluctant to cause themselves trouble in the institutions in which they will work for the coming decades that they would be hesitant to risk offending their seniors. —Sherwin B. Nuland, New York Review of Books, 18 July 2002
But even non-birders cannot help but be awed by the significance of the habitat. All around us creatures dart and dive; birds attracted by fish and water, birds drawn by seeds and chaff. Birds with silly names: loons, boobies, cuckoos, goatsuckers. —Clara Jeffery, Harper's, November 2002
Her style both awes and perplexes me.