awe

[ aw ]

/ ɔ /

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noun

an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like: in awe of God; in awe of great political figures.

Archaic. power to inspire fear or reverence.

Obsolete. fear or dread.

verb (used with object), awed, aw·ing.

to inspire with awe.

to influence or restrain by awe.

Nearby words

away, away goal, away-going crop, awayday, awb, awe, awe-inspiring, awe-struck, aweary, aweather, awed

Origin of awe

1250–1300; Middle English aghe, awe < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse agi fear, cognate with Gothic agis, Old English ege, Greek áchos pain

SYNONYMS FOR awe

1 wonder, veneration.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR awe ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR awe

1 apathy; contempt.

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Related forms

out·awe, verb (used with object), out·awed, out·aw·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for awe

The shared feelings, the bubbling emotion, the awe: she became an experience.
Bow Down, Bitches: How Beyoncé Turned an Elevator Brawl Into a Perfect Year|Kevin Fallon|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the art world, sex can be the ultimate attention-grabber, one of the best forms of shock and awe.
Sex-Crazed Narcissist Pretends He's an Artist|Justin Jones|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was in awe of Tel Aviv, a gay-friendly city with Pride parades rivaling those in Berlin and Amsterdam.
Gay Palestinians In Israel: The 'Invisible Men'|Itay Hod|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I watched in awe as he virtually caromed off the walls of the classrooms and hallways.
Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve's Epic Friendship and the Greatest Williams Story Ever Told|Marlow Stern|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As usual, I spent most of my time in awe of my fellow cosplaying women.
Comic-Con’s Year of the Kickass Woman|Kendra Pettis|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He knew that the second destruction of the boats, but in a different way, would fill them with awe.
The Keepers of the Trail|Joseph A. Altsheler
When the travellers saw it they were filled with awe and joy.
The Unknown Quantity|Henry van Dyke
For an instant that awe with which absolute helplessness invests the sleeping and dead was felt by both husband and wife.
Trent's Trust and Other Stories|Bret Harte
All they could do was to stand round her with awe in their faces.
The Eternal City|Hall Caine
It would have been too terrible—I couldn't have slept a wink from awe.
Anne Of The Island|Lucy Maud Montgomery

British Dictionary definitions for awe

awe

/ (ɔː) /

noun

overwhelming wonder, admiration, respect, or dread

archaic power to inspire fear or reverence

verb

(tr) to inspire with reverence or dread

Derived Forms

aweless or US awless, adjective

Word Origin for awe

C13: from Old Norse agi; related to Gothic agis fear, Greek akhesthai to be grieved

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012