august

¹ American  

[aw-guhst] / ɔˈgʌst /

adjective

1. inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic.

   an august performance of a religious drama.

2. venerable; eminent.

   an august personage.

---

August ² American  

[aw-guhst] / ˈɔ gəst /

noun

1. the eighth month of the year, containing 31 days. Aug.

2. a first name, form of Augustus.

---

august ¹ British  

/ ɔːˈɡʌst /

adjective

1. dignified or imposing

   an august presence

2. of noble birth or high rank

   an august lineage

---

August ² British  

/ ˈɔːɡəst /

noun

1. the eighth month of the year, consisting of 31 days

---

Usage

What is August? August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and is between July and September.In the Northern Hemisphere August is known as a middle month of the summer season. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a middle month of the winter season.Among the holidays that happen in August are several independence days. August 1 is Benin’s and Switzterland’s, August 13 is the Central African Republic’s, and August 24 is Ukraine’s, to name just a few.As an adjective, august describes something or someone who is majestic or who inspires admiration, as in Playing the part of the queen, Pramila wore an august crown that could be seen from the back row.Example: I get the back-to-school blues as soon as August begins.

Other Word Forms

• augustly adverb
• augustness noun

Etymology

Origin of august¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French, Middle French auguste, from Latin augustus “sacred, grand,” akin to augēre “to increase” and augur ¹ ( def. ); eke ¹

Origin of August²

before 1100; Middle English < Latin Augustus (named after Augustus. ); replacing Old English Agustus < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Sanger’s renewed criticism helped push Wikipedia back into the spotlight this past week at a time when the nation’s most august institutions are under pressure for the messages they put into the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 4, 2025

The prolific author also serves as a kind of cultural commissar, heading the government’s publishing house, El Fondo de Cultura Económica, which has published 10,000-plus titles across genres in its august, 90-year history.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2025

We can talk in stentorian terms about whether the august body that is the U.S.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2024

On 5 August, Peters took to X to announce the news: "I don't know how it gets better than this. See u at the eras tour on august 19th."

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

As the idea of Zeus became loftier, two august forms sat beside him in Olympus.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton