dignified or imposing
an august presence
of noble birth or high rank
an august lineage
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.
First recorded in 1590–1600; from French, Middle French auguste, from Latin augustus “sacred, grand,” akin to augēre “to increase” and augur 1 ( def. ); see also eke 1
before 1100; Middle English < Latin Augustus (named after Augustus. ); replacing Old English Agustus < Latin, as above
August is not just the eighth month of the year; it also describes something esteemed or regal. The 200-year-old newspaper covering the royal wedding might be called an august institution. The month August was named for Augustus Caesar who was an important and regal person. This is an easy way to remember the two meanings. Interestingly enough, linguists think that the word august did not descend from the same root as the month August. Find that hard to believe? August sources disagree. Oh, and don't forget to pronounce each word properly — the month has the accent on the first syllable, the adjective on the second.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There’s almost no authority figure or august body in our society in which most people have confidence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 29, 2025
That august body of cineastes, the National Society of Film Critics, said so, and, frankly, it wasn’t even close.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 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
He peeked out at Major de Coverley for hours and marveled that someone so august had nothing more important to do.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Against this backdrop, Trump signed an executive order in August 2025 aimed at boosting the US space industry.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
Last August, Herbert was photographed interacting with Beer on the set of the video shoot for her song “Angel Wings” at a house in Hancock Park.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Strangely, the Kazakhstan forward did so as a triallist - because he cannot formally complete his move from FC Kairat to Stamford Bridge until 12 August.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Agriculture Department will allow cattle imports from Mexico for the first time in more than a year beginning in late August, even as New World screwworm remains a threat to domestic livestock.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
On August 30, Nikita Khrushchev announced to the world that the Soviet government had decided, “with a heavy heart,” to resume nuclear tests.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
