agape

¹ American  

[uh-geyp, uh-gap] / əˈgeɪp, əˈgæp /

adverb

1. with the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness.

   We stood there agape at the splendor.

2. wide open.

   his mouth agape.

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agape ² American  

[ah-gah-pey, ah-guh-pey, ag-uh-] / ɑˈgɑ peɪ, ˈɑ gəˌpeɪ, ˈæg ə- /

noun

plural

agapae, agapai

1. the love of God or Christ for humankind.

2. the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.

3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love.

4. love feast.

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Agape ¹ British  

/ ˈæɡəpɪ /

noun

1. Christian love, esp as contrasted with erotic love; charity

2. a communal meal in the early Church taken in commemoration of the Last Supper; love feast

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agape ² British  

/ əˈɡeɪp /

adjective

1. (esp of the mouth) wide open

2. very surprised, expectant, or eager, esp as indicated by a wide open mouth

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Etymology

Origin of agape¹

First recorded in 1660–70; a- ¹ + gape

Origin of agape²

First recorded in 1600–10, agape is from the Greek word agápē “love”

Example Sentences

Davies tells Newsbeat he shared his plan with BBC bosses, leaving them "with jaws agape, loving it".

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

There I was, learning about the end of this particular chapter of democracy while trying on jorts 50 percent off at a Gap Outlet, my mouth agape at the not-surprising but still-shocking news.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2024

“Do less” is a thought I had about her as recently as August, when she stood, mouth agape, in supposed awe at her crowd’s endless standing ovation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 4, 2024

Aphids are probably not harmful if accidentally ingested, which some city types have been expressing is a concern if they walk down the street with jaws agape.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2023

Startled, several fishermen looked up, mouths agape; suddenly, giddily, they waved.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols