awe

noun \ ˈȯ \

Updated on: 23 May 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

The choreography of red and white blood cells dancing around the slide left me in awe.

— cory zapatka, The Verge, "Why are there so many different blood types?," 15 May 2018
Still, some aspects of Jones’s way of doing things still left him in awe.

— eve l. ewing, GQ, "Bomani Jones Has a Funny Joke for You," 15 May 2018
Sometimes a movie Easter egg is so well hidden and perfectly paired that when it's found, the film world collectively gasps in awe.

— fernando alfonso iii, Houston Chronicle, "How an art director for Disney turned Keanu Reeves into an incredible movie Easter egg," 15 May 2018
As one of the sections made its way down Giles Lane, Dylan watched in awe.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "House built by Harford Tech students for Habitat for Humanity delivered to permanent site," 15 May 2018
At 34, still pitching every fifth day and in the kind of shape that leaves teammates a decade younger in awe, Richard puts more effort into his craft than ever.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres appreciate the moms that make what they do possible," 13 May 2018
In Phoenix for All-Star Weekend, Durant — at age 20, the face of the new Thunder, watched in awe as Harden led Arizona State to a 74-67 win over UCLA.

— connor letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘War on the practice court’ shaped Kevin Durant, James Harden into MVPs," 12 May 2018
Dozens of tourists and passersby watched in awe as the flames engulfed the bus, shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday.

— Fox News, "Public bus explodes in Rome's historic center; no one hurt," 8 May 2018
The collective basketball world was, once again, in awe.

— aj neuharth-keusch, USA TODAY, "LeBron James' game-winner against Raptors leaves NBA world in awe," 6 May 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.

Recent Examples of awe from the Web

On this eastern edge of the nation's southernmost state, the people who live here are accustomed to – and awed by – their volcanic real estate, perched on the side of an angry mountain that rises out of the Pacific.

— scott wilson, Anchorage Daily News, "The earth cracked open. Walls of lava encroached. That’s just life on a Hawaiian volcano.," 20 May 2018
According to the Los Angeles Times, Prince Harry and Meghan were first awed by Kanneh-Mason last summer at an event for the Halo Foundation in London.

— amanda arnold, The Cut, "How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Picked the 19-Year-Old Royal Wedding Cellist," 19 May 2018
Women were awed at the job her hair and makeup team did on the new mom — again.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "The quick labor, the awe, Charlotte's wave: All about Duchess of Cambridge's new baby | The Kansas City Star," 23 Apr. 2018
Rulers of the Holiday Inn Express of Surprise, Ariz. Other teams were awed by their size, their power at the plate and on the mound and their athleticism, even though their professional careers were in their infancy.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "From Arizona rookies to Rangers roster: 2012 farm team 'realizing their dream' | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 20 Apr. 2018
Mickey awed the scouts and coaches at bat and in the field.

— edward kosner, WSJ, "‘A Season in the Sun’ Review: Those Weren’t the Days," 12 Apr. 2018
Critics were awed by her performance, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actress, making her one of the youngest nominees in history.

— philip galanes, New York Times, "How to Come of Age Onscreen? Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet Know," 31 Jan. 2018
The tweet quickly went viral as the internet was awed by how pure of heart dogs can be.

— kelly o'sullivan, Country Living, "This Dog's Bed Is Way Too Small for Him, But He Loves It Anyway," 13 Apr. 2017
This was V-Day on steroids, primed to shock and awe its participants into romance.

— ryan smith, Chicago Reader, "Apropos of Nothing / Narcissism / Seriously? / News 'Spinning Singles' search for love atop a Ferris wheel—in 12 minutes or less," 9 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of awe

see ¹awe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1597

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

AWE Defined for English Language Learners

awe

noun

Definition of awe for English Language Learners

: a strong feeling of fear or respect and also wonder

awe

verb

Definition of awe for English Language Learners

: to fill (someone) with awe

AWE Defined for Kids

awe

noun \ ˈȯ \

Definition of awe for Students

: a feeling of mixed fear, respect, and wonder

awe

verb

Definition of awe for Students

awed; awing

: to fill with respect, fear, and wonder

Learn More about awe

See words that rhyme with awe Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for awe Spanish Central: Translation of awe Nglish: Translation of awe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of awe for Arabic speakers

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awe

Definition of awe

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Origin and Etymology of awe

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awe

Definition of awe

Examples of awe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of awe from the Web

Origin and Etymology of awe

AWE Defined for English Language Learners

awe

Definition of awe for English Language Learners

awe

Definition of awe for English Language Learners

AWE Defined for Kids

awe

Definition of awe for Students

awe

Definition of awe for Students

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