Awesome Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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awesome

[ˈɔːs(ə)m ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing something impressive or remarkable

Causing feelings of great admiration, respect, or fear; very impressive or remarkable.

Synonyms

amazing, impressive, incredible, outstanding, remarkable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
awesome	Use this when you want to indicate that something is extremely good or exciting, often in casual or informal settings. The concert last night was awesome! Her new book is just awesome.
amazing	This word is good for situations where you want to describe something that causes great surprise or wonder. She did an amazing job on her project. The view from the top of the mountain is amazing.
impressive	Use this to describe something that evokes admiration due to its size, quality, or skill, often in more formal or professional contexts. His performance was truly impressive. Their new office building is really impressive.
remarkable	This word is ideal for pointing out something worth noting or extraordinary, generally in more formal or serious discussions. Her recovery from the accident was remarkable. The scientist's findings were truly remarkable.
outstanding	Use this when you want to indicate that something is noticeably excellent and stands out in a very positive way, often in formal reports or assessments. He received an award for his outstanding contributions to the company. Her academic achievements are outstanding.
incredible	Appropriate for describing something that is hard to believe due to its extraordinary nature, both in positive and outstanding ways. The special effects in the movie were incredible. She has an incredible talent for painting.

Examples of usage

That was an awesome performance!
She has an awesome personality.
The view from the top of the mountain was truly awesome.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

expressing approval or agreement

Extremely; very.

Synonyms

exceedingly, extremely, incredibly, remarkably, very.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
awesome	Used to describe something that is very impressive, great, or enjoyable. Often has a casual and enthusiastic tone. That concert was awesome! You did an awesome job on that project.
extremely	Used to emphasize a very high degree of something. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts. She is extremely good at playing the piano. It's extremely important to wear a seatbelt.
very	Used to emphasize a high degree of something. Extremely common and versatile in both spoken and written English. She is very happy with her new job. The movie was very interesting.
incredibly	Used to describe something as difficult to believe due to its impressive or surprising nature. Often has an enthusiastic tone. The show was incredibly entertaining. She runs incredibly fast.
exceedingly	Used to emphasize that something is very much in a certain way. Often found in more formal or written contexts. The weather has been exceedingly hot lately. He is exceedingly talented in mathematics.
remarkably	Used to describe something that is unusual or extraordinary in a way that attracts attention. Often found in formal or academic contexts. He has recovered remarkably well after the surgery. The results are remarkably consistent across all tests.

Examples of usage

I'm awesome at playing the guitar!
He speaks awesome Spanish.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

In the 1980s and 1990s, 'awesome' became a cornerstone of teenage slang, often used to describe music, movies, and experiences.
Superhero films frequently use the term to elevate moments where characters perform heroic actions.
Shows like 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' popularized the term, embedding it in the lexicon of youth culture.

Psychology

Experiencing awe, which is the feeling tied to this word, can lead to increased feelings of connectedness and well-being.
Research suggests that moments of awe can enhance creativity and broaden one's perspective.
Feeling awe can reduce the focus on self, promoting pro-social behaviors, like helping others.

Literature

In literature, awe is often employed to evoke deep emotional responses from readers, particularly in adventure or fantasy genres.
Classical poets like Keats and Coleridge explored themes of awe in nature and the sublime, reflecting on how it connects humans with the universe.
Modern novels frequently depict characters having 'awe-inspiring' moments that signify personal growth or revelation.

Education

Classrooms that inspire awe through engaging activities tend to boost student motivation and learning outcomes.
Teachers often use awe-inspiring moments, like science experiments, to spark interest and curiosity in students.
Creating awe-inspiring lessons can lead to better memory retention, as students are more likely to remember experiences that moved them.

Origin of 'awesome'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Middle English term 'awesom,' which means 'causing awe'.
Initially, 'awesome' had a more serious connotation, implying 'fearful reverence' for something that inspires dread.
By the late 20th century, its meaning broadened to express excitement rather than fear.

The word 'awesome' originated in the late 16th century from the word 'awe,' meaning a feeling of respect and wonder. Over time, 'awesome' has evolved to describe something impressive, remarkable, or excellent. Its popularity has grown significantly in modern colloquial language, often used to express admiration or approval.

See also: awe, awed, awestruck, overawe.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,676, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13673 mysticism
13674 legitimately
13675 secession
13676 awesome
13677 underestimated
13678 latency
13679 liturgical
...