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Awe Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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awe

[ɔː ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sense

A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.

Synonyms

admiration, reverence, wonder.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
awe

A feeling of respect mixed with fear or wonder. It is often used when confronted by something very powerful or grand.

  • She gazed in awe at the majestic mountains
  • The little boy watched in awe as the fireworks lit up the sky
wonder

A feeling of amazement and curiosity about something extraordinary or new.

  • The children stared in wonder at the circus performers
  • His eyes were filled with wonder as he explored the museum
admiration

A feeling of great respect and approval for someone or something. It is typically positive without any element of fear.

  • He has always had great admiration for his mentor
  • The crowd showed their admiration by applauding loudly
reverence

Deep respect for someone or something, often with a religious or solemn connotation.

  • The followers showed reverence during the prayer
  • She spoke of her grandmother with great reverence

Examples of usage

  • She gazed in awe at the great stone pyramid.
  • His voice had a note of awe in it.
Context #2 | Noun

impressiveness

An overwhelming feeling of admiration, reverence, or fear produced by something grand, sublime, or powerful.

Synonyms

amazement, awe-inspiring, awesomeness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
awe

This word is used to describe a feeling of great respect mixed with fear or wonder. It is more formal and can also have a slightly negative connotation if the fear aspect is emphasized.

  • The majestic mountains filled him with awe
  • She gazed in awe at the massive structure
amazement

This word is used to express a feeling of great surprise or wonder in a more positive and casual way. It is often used in everyday situations when something unexpected and impressive happens.

  • Her dance performance left the audience in amazement
  • He watched in amazement as the magician performed his tricks
awe-inspiring

This descriptive term is used to depict something that causes a deep sense of wonder or admiration, often related to natural beauty, impressive achievements, or grandeur. It generally carries a positive connotation.

  • The view from the top of the mountain was awe-inspiring
  • The bravery of the firefighters was truly awe-inspiring
awesomeness

A more modern, informal term often used to describe something or someone extremely impressive, cool, or enjoyable. It is typically used in a very positive and enthusiastic manner.

  • His skills on the skateboard are pure awesomeness
  • The movie's special effects were a display of pure awesomeness

Examples of usage

  • The sight filled me with awe.
  • The power and majesty of the mountains inspired awe.
Context #3 | Verb

inspire

To inspire with awe.

Synonyms

amaze, astonish, impress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
awe

Use 'awe' when you are describing a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder about something very powerful, grand, or magnificent.

  • The grandeur of the mountains filled her with awe.
  • He looked at the ancient ruins in awe.
amaze

Choose 'amaze' when you want to express a feeling of great surprise or wonder, often in a positive sense.

  • The magician's tricks never fail to amaze the audience.
  • It always amazes me how fast technology advances.
astonish

'Astonish' is suitable when you need to convey being greatly surprised or impressed by something unexpected.

  • Her sudden decision to move abroad astonished everyone.
  • The rapidity of his recovery astonished the doctors.
impress

'Impress' is appropriate when you are talking about making someone admire something or someone, often due to a skill, quality, or achievement.

  • He managed to impress the interviewers with his extensive knowledge.
  • The speech was designed to impress the audience.

Examples of usage

  • The majestic view awed her into silence.
  • The grandeur of the architecture awed all who entered.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Experiencing awe can make people feel more connected to others and improve mood.
  • Studies show that moments of awe can lead to increased life satisfaction and happiness.
  • Feeling awe can help reduce stress and anxiety, encouraging a broader perspective on life.

Literature

  • Many poets express awe for nature, capturing feelings of wonder in their verses.
  • Works like Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' explore the awe of creation and the unknown, blending fear with admiration.

Art

  • In art, themes of awe often appear in grand landscapes or depictions of the divine, evoking deep emotional responses.
  • Artists like Caspar David Friedrich use scenes of nature to inspire feelings of awe and contemplation.

Science

  • Experiencing awe can affect brain activity, engaging areas linked to emotion and motivation.
  • Researchers have noted that seeing large natural phenomena, like mountains or oceans, can induce a sense of awe that alters perception of time.

Origin of 'awe'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Old English 'ege,' which means fear or dread.
  • Historically, 'awe' was closely linked to feelings of reverence and fear of the divine or powerful forces.

The word 'awe' originated from Middle English 'awe', from Old Norse 'agi', meaning 'fright', or from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse 'agi'. It has been used since the 13th century to describe a feeling of respect and wonder. The sense of 'awe' as a synonym for 'impressiveness' emerged in the 17th century.

See also: awed, awesome, awestruck, overawe.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,615 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.