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

By late afternoon, Fernandez is dozing in his chair, mouth agape, hands clasped in his lap.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2024

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

In one thread, a man fails to contain his awe at the power of nuclear energy, and ultimately finds himself split into dozens of clones, staring, mouth agape, on another plane of existence.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2024

Lydia sat for a second, her mouth agape, her hands outstretched in front of her.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner