Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "awe" []

  • A mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might: We felt awe when contemplating the works of Bach. The observers were in awe of the destructive power of the new weapon. (noun)
  • Archaic The power to inspire dread. (noun)
  • Archaic Dread. (noun)
  • To inspire with awe. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "awe" in a sentence
  • "For many decisions about what to eat are not based on a personal sense of awe do plants or animals care if we are “in awe” of them anyway?"
  • "The one that just has me in awe, is the Sugared Walnut ..."
  • "Today the word awe gets thrown around like a dishrag."