awed
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of awed
Explanation
When you're awed by something, you're amazed and maybe a little bit intimidated by it. The first time kids see a fireworks display, they're often awed by it. The first time you visit a big city, you might wander around looking up at the skyscrapers with an awed expression on your face. When you're awed, you're full of wonder that's tinged with fear or confusion. It's generally big, impressive things that leave you awed. A new father holding his baby might be awed, for example. Awed comes from awe, "amazement," which has a Scandinavian root and is related to the Old Norse word agi, or "fright."
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.
The total eclipse plunged a vast swathe of Spain from broad daylight into darkness Wednesday, drawing awed gasps and applause from spectators gathered in parks and cities across the country.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
"You've got to be awed by it all, which I never cease to be."
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
But credit Neill for both understanding the assignment and not quite settling for those awed stares of Spielbergian wonder.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Some might find it humanizing—proof that below the bloviating gestalt, the president can become awed by existential futility.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
He was awed by the beauty and elegance of the physical world.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
