agape

¹ American  

[uh-geyp, uh-gap] / əˈgeɪp, əˈgæp /

adverb

1. with the mouth wide open, as in wonder, surprise, or eagerness.

   We stood there agape at the splendor.

2. wide open.

   his mouth agape.

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agape ² American  

[ah-gah-pey, ah-guh-pey, ag-uh-] / ɑˈgɑ peɪ, ˈɑ gəˌpeɪ, ˈæg ə- /

noun

plural

agapae, agapai

1. the love of God or Christ for humankind.

2. the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.

3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love.

4. love feast.

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Agape ¹ British  

/ ˈæɡəpɪ /

noun

1. Christian love, esp as contrasted with erotic love; charity

2. a communal meal in the early Church taken in commemoration of the Last Supper; love feast

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agape ² British  

/ əˈɡeɪp /

adjective

1. (esp of the mouth) wide open

2. very surprised, expectant, or eager, esp as indicated by a wide open mouth

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Etymology

Origin of agape¹

First recorded in 1660–70; a- ¹ + gape

Origin of agape²

First recorded in 1600–10, agape is from the Greek word agápē “love”

Explanation

If you’re watching a powerful display of nature such as an avalanche, you might stare at it with your mouth agape, which means your mouth would be wide open in awe. You should close it, before it is full of snow. Agape, you may have already figured out, comes from the verb gape, meaning "to open wide or split." This is what happens to your mouth when you are looking agape at something in amazement. Don’t confuse mouth-wide-open agape with the other agape, which is spelled the same but pronounced differently and refers to Christian love.

Example Sentences

“I could sense the agape right off the page,” said Herr, using the Greek term for the selfless love preached by Jesus, to explain why he wanted in.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

There I was, learning about the end of this particular chapter of democracy while trying on jorts 50 percent off at a Gap Outlet, my mouth agape at the not-surprising but still-shocking news.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2024

Rafael Nadal, left arm across his chest, feet levitating above the court and mouth agape, has just walloped a trademark forehand winner.

From BBC • May 24, 2024

He looked so frail in a wheelchair, his legs covered by a blanket and his mouth agape, that it shocked friends in the church and admirers watching on television.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2024

The passenger door was flung open, and his mother emerged from it, her mouth agape, and Moss dropped his bag at his side.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro