awed

American

[awd] / ɔd /

adjective

filled with or expressing awe.

Other Word Forms

awedly adverb
awedness noun
unawed adjective

Etymology

Origin of awed

First recorded in 1635–45; awe + -ed ²

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."

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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.

Meagan’s awed expressions clearly demonstrated that as much as you know a place, you can always find more to amaze you.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

China has long awed visitors with wonders such as the Great Wall and the terracotta warriors buried in an ancient tomb.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025

Sleek sea otters dive and twirl in a tank before awed visitors.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025

Millions were awed by his award show performances, bought his albums, flaunted his fashions and allowed all that to distract us from the warning signs that seeped into plain view and were ignored.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2025

Before awed spectators, the army fought pretend battles, with guns, tanks, communication battalions, motorcyclists, and cavalry.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023