Awe Meaning and Definition
Awe
Pronunciation
/oʊ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A feeling of reverent wonder, amazement, or astonishment, often accompanied by a sense of smallness or insignificance in the face of something great or powerful.
Examples
- The breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon left me in awe.
- The majestic beauty of the Aurora Borealis filled me with a sense of awe.
Synonyms
- Weirdness
- Wonder
Antonyms
- Boredom
- Obliviousness
Etymology
The word “Awe” comes from the Old English “āþ”, meaning “fear” or “wonder”, and is related to the Old Norse “agr”, meaning “fear” or “dread”.
Usage Notes
Awe is often used to describe a sense of wonder or amazement in response to something remarkable or impressive, such as a natural wonder, a work of art, or a person’s accomplishments.
Cultural References
- In Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, Queen of Hearts says “Off with their heads!” in a moment of awe.
- In the movie “The Lion King”, the character of Rafiki says “Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase” in a moment of awe.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “In awe” is a common idiomatic expression used to describe being impressed or amazed by something.
Related Words or Phrases
- Wonder
- Astonishment
- Miracle
Collocations
- In awe of someone/something
- Fill with awe
Frequency of Use
Awe is a relatively rare word in everyday language, but it is often used in formal or literary contexts.
Common Misspellings
- “Awe” is often misspelled as “Aw” or “Awee”.