awesome

[ aw-suhm ]

adjective

1. causing or inducing awe; inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear:

   an awesome sight.

2. exhibiting or marked by awe; showing reverence, admiration, or fear.
3. Slang. very impressive:

   That new white convertible is totally awesome.

awesome

/ ˈɔːsəm /

adjective

1. inspiring or displaying awe
2. slang.
   excellent or outstanding

Confusables Note

See awful.

Derived Forms

• ˈawesomeness, noun
• ˈawesomely, adverb

Other Words From

• awesome·ly adverb
• awesome·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of awesome¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; awe + -some ¹

Example Sentences

You get the sense that either man would merrily punched a subordinate in the face and expect them to think it was awesome.

From Salon

“We would go to their house and they would have a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah. It was kind of awesome.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nuclear reactors could harness and control the same awesome forces released by atomic bombs - to provide electricity for millions of homes.

From BBC

“As soon as I got there, I remember going to a couple Italian restaurants and they just treated us like family. It was awesome.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Beastie Boys was big on this album,” she explains, “just ’cause they’re awesome and their phrasing is cool and we listen to a lot of them.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amazing
• astonishing
• astounding
• awe-inspiring
• breathtaking
• imposing
• inspiring
• magnificent
• majestic
• miraculous
• spectacular
• staggering
• stunning
• stupefying
• sublime
• wonderful
• wondrous