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.

Recent Examples of awe from the Web

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
They were awed by how their children had responded to the shooting by researching gun laws and trying to forge change.

— jack healy, New York Times, "Outspoken and Precocious, Florida Students Struggle With Loss When the Cameras Turn Off," 25 Feb. 2018
Which is both a very good reason to be grateful that the Elias played his Six Moments Musicaux (2005) and yet another reason to be awed by the ensemble.

— peter dobrin, Philly.com, "Elias String Quartet and Jonathan Biss: Happiness on a high plane," 22 Feb. 2018
Two millennia ago, a small Greco-Roman temple in present-day Turkey awed and enthralled its residents.

— Time, "Animals Dropped Dead Inside Roman 'Gate to Hell.' Scientists Just Figured Out Why," 22 Feb. 2018
Last May, a crowd of tourists oohed and awed as a sea lion swam near Steveston Fisherman's Wharf near Vancouver, British Columbia – until the animal lurched, snagged a little girl by the hem of her flower-print dress and pulled her into the water.

— author: jason bittel, Anchorage Daily News, "Sea lions have made a magnificent comeback, and they want their beaches back," 20 Feb. 2018
Wild and beautiful, the meeting of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean is a place that has both confounded and awed.

— OregonLive.com, "Fort Stevens is one of Oregon's best, most expansive state parks," 18 Feb. 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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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

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Definition of awe for Students

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