awe

noun \ ˈȯ \

Updated on: 25 Apr 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

Tom sits in awe, marveling at her beauty and her power.

— kara brown, The Cut, "Olivia Pope Was Helen of Troy," 19 Apr. 2018
Like the rest of the world, Cara Delevingne watched in awe from afar as Beyoncé shut it down at Coachella over the weekend.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Cara Delevingne Shut Down People Who Criticized Her for Complimenting Beyoncé's Coachella Performance," 16 Apr. 2018
Ingram, who was still in awe after the game, told ESPN.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Los Angeles Lakers Guard Andre Ingram’s Inspired Night Proves It’s Never Too Late to Chase Your Dreams," 11 Apr. 2018
So a lot of the things that happened was pretty like in awe.

— chris fedor, cleveland.com, "LeBron James watched his 'Rise Up' documentary with whole family Wednesday night, talks about importance," 5 Apr. 2018
Less than 15 minutes after taking the ice, Foster emerged a hockey legend, delivering a performance that left everyone who watched it in awe.

— allyson chiu, Anchorage Daily News, "NHL stunner: A 36-year-old accountant who has never played pro stars in Chicago victory," 30 Mar. 2018
Opponents ranged from long-time residents to people who had only lived in the area for a few months and were in awe of its wild animal population, especially the hawks that soar over the neighborhood.

— barbara henry, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Quail Gardens Drive property to remain on high-density, low-income housing list," 7 Apr. 2018
When Nathan Kraisser burst onto the scene as a 103-pound freshman in 2008 at Centennial, spectators and wrestlers alike were in awe of his flawless technique.

— tim schwartz, Howard County Times, "Jason Kraisser remains a step above the rest as Howard County Wrestler of the Year," 3 Apr. 2018
Ewing Kauffman really liked Matthews, and Matthews was in awe of Kauffman.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "A day with Denny Matthews for his 50th KC Royals opener | The Kansas City Star," 29 Mar. 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.