august
adjective
inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic.
august
1 American
[aw-guhst]
/ ɔˈgʌst /
August
2
American
[aw-guhst]
/ ˈɔ gəst /
august
1
British
/ ɔːˈɡʌst /
adjective
-
dignified or imposing
an august presence
-
of noble birth or high rank
an august lineage
August
2
British
/ ˈɔːɡəst /
noun
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
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. ); see also eke 1
Origin of August2
before 1100; Middle English < Latin Augustus (named after Augustus. ); replacing Old English Agustus < Latin, as above
Explanation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing august
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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An "August" Assortment: Words Worthy of Honor
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Mythology
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Not many countries are often blessed with as sagacious a leader as Mariano, but many a family and institution will, through him, be reminded of the worth of such august figures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
We can talk in stentorian terms about whether the august body that is the U.S.
From Slate ● Nov. 15, 2024
Nevertheless, these claims have been a staple of news reporting for years, even by some of most august news organizations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 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
Leavitt, who gave birth to her second child in early May, announced on August 12 that she was leaving her position to devote more time to her family.
From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026
Despite that, afternoon highs in northern areas should still warm up to 18C while central and southern parts will reach the low 20s - very close to the average for the end of August.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
Some argue that August marks the last weeks of summer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The London Fire Brigade said four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a grass fire there on 5 August, which damaged about two hectares of shrubland.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
She let out a hacking cough and pulled her thin coat tighter around her shoulders, despite the August heat.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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.
