august

¹ American  

[aw-guhst] / ɔˈgʌst /

adjective

1. inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic.

   an august performance of a religious drama.

2. venerable; eminent.

   an august personage.

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August ² American  

[aw-guhst] / ˈɔ gəst /

noun

1. the eighth month of the year, containing 31 days. Aug.

2. a first name, form of Augustus.

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august ¹ British  

/ ɔːˈɡʌst /

adjective

1. dignified or imposing

   an august presence

2. of noble birth or high rank

   an august lineage

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August ² British  

/ ˈɔːɡəst /

noun

1. the eighth month of the year, consisting of 31 days

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Usage

What is August? August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It has 31 days and is between July and September.In the Northern Hemisphere August is known as a middle month of the summer season. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is a middle month of the winter season.Among the holidays that happen in August are several independence days. August 1 is Benin’s and Switzterland’s, August 13 is the Central African Republic’s, and August 24 is Ukraine’s, to name just a few.As an adjective, august describes something or someone who is majestic or who inspires admiration, as in Playing the part of the queen, Pramila wore an august crown that could be seen from the back row.Example: I get the back-to-school blues as soon as August begins.

Other Word Forms

• augustly adverb
• augustness noun

Etymology

Origin of august¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French, Middle French auguste, from Latin augustus “sacred, grand,” akin to augēre “to increase” and augur ¹ ( def. ); eke ¹

Origin of August²

before 1100; Middle English < Latin Augustus (named after Augustus. ); replacing Old English Agustus < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

There’s almost no authority figure or august body in our society in which most people have confidence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Newspaper editorials, of course, rarely have much impact, especially these days, when no newspaper, not even the Times, struts the stage of mass media with the august authority it once held.

From Slate • Dec. 19, 2025

On 5 August, Peters took to X to announce the news: "I don't know how it gets better than this. See u at the eras tour on august 19th."

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

Greenberger’s warning about this scenario had been endorsed by no less august a figure than former Federal Reserve Chair Paul Volcker.

From Salon • May 28, 2024

Whether he seriously entertained the offers that came his way from institutions as august as Harvard University is hard to say; but in the end, he turned them all down.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik