Where did the word awesome come from?
Sophia Koch
Updated on May 23, 2026
The oldest meaning of awesome is of “something which inspires awe”, but the word is now also a common slang expression. It was originally so used in the United States, where it had featured strikingly in the 1970 film Tora!
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Besides, what did awesome originally mean?
The oldest meaning of "awesome" is "something which inspires awe", but the word is also a common slang expression in English, originally from America. As the original meaning of awesome has become somewhat antiquated in general use, the term awe-inspiring is now generally used for the same meaning.
Secondly, is the word awesome in the Bible? Psalm 145:6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. I would suggest using the word “awesome.” God is totally awesome in his being, his works and in his relationship to man.
Considering this, who invented the word awesome?
The earliest use of awesome comes in the late 16th century, and the word had the meaning of “filled with awe.” The problem with saying that this is the same meaning that kids today should intend when they say the word is that awe had a somewhat different meaning back then; it generally referred to feelings of severe
Is awesome a bad word?
"Awesome" is not cool. It is not outré. It is not out-of-the-box. It is mindless, shallow, slothful, ersatz, and, ultimately, disrespectful of anyone you are speaking to.
Related Question AnswersIs awesome overused?
“Awesome” must be the most overused word in the English language. So let's stop using it as our default every time we are too lazy, busy, insecure, stupid or whatever to think of a more original or relevant word. Let's stop using it because we're middle-aged business people who think it makes us look cool.What kind of word is awesome?
adjective. causing or inducing awe; inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear: an awesome sight.Is awesome an American word?
Awesome. Here's another word whose meaning has changed a great deal over the years. Originally this word meant to cause awe or terror, to inspire wonder or excitement. Nowadays it has been accepted into American and British English slang as a word that means excellent, exciting or remarkable.Do British say awesome?
Why don't the British use the word "awesome"? We do use the word awesome! However, we use it to describe an event or object of such staggering proportions or effectiveness that we are filled with awe. We do use the word awesome!How do you become awesome?
Here are a few awesome ideas for being an awesome person:- Love the things you love even if others think your passion is stupid.
- Try new things — even when they are scary and new.
- Stop taking criticism so darn personally.
- Embrace failure.
- Keep your vices under control.
- Give people a chance — and then a second chance.
Is great an adverb?
great (adjective) great (adverb) great (noun) Great Plains (proper noun)How do you use awesome in a sentence?
awesome Sentence Examples- I've got an awesome wife.
- She'd never heard such awesome words!
- Isn't this an awesome view?
- I tried to remember names on buildings but just being there was so awesome it was difficult to concentrate.
- There's an awesome taco shack an hour away.
What is a better word than awesome?
1'the scale of the mountains was awesome' SYNONYMS. breathtaking, amazing, stunning, astounding, astonishing, awe-inspiring, stupendous, staggering, extraordinary, incredible, unbelievable. magnificent, wonderful, spectacular, remarkable, phenomenal, prodigious, miraculous, sublime. formidable, imposing, impressive.Is it an awesome or a awesome?
Have AN awesome day. The word 'awesome' begins with a vowel sound, and therefore takes 'an' instead of 'a' as the article. It is important to use the SOUND and not the letter itself. For instance, we abbreviate 'master of arts' as 'MA' and pronounce that 'em-A'.What part of speech is awesome?
'Awesome' is a word that describes nouns, so it is classified as a descriptive adjective.Is awesome formal or informal?
The general consensus is that “awesome” in the example may be a bit informal for this situation because it is business. You have to evaluate though how well you know these people. It may be better in a more formal setting to say something like “great.”What adjective means amazing?
adjective. /?ˈme?z?ŋ/ /?ˈme?z?ŋ/ ? very surprising, especially in a way that you like or admire synonym astonishing, astounding, incredible.Can we use awesome for a person?
Since the situation we were describing involved friends talking about a band they had seen, it's safe to conclude that the context is informal (and probably involves young people too), so in this case the use of awesome is both acceptable and contextually-appropriate.Is awesomeness in the dictionary?
adjective. causing or inducing awe; inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear: an awesome sight.Is the word cool an adjective?
It could be a noun, an adjective, an adverb, a verb, etc. In the sentence, "he walks cool", the word 'cool' is an adverb. In the sentence, "cool the hot dish", the word 'cool' is a verb. In the sentence, "it is a cool evening", the word 'cool' is an adjective.What part of speech is hurray?
hurrah (hooray hurray)| part of speech: | interjection |
|---|---|
| part of speech: | transitive verb |
| definition: | to greet or encourage with cheers, as of "hurrah". similar words: cheer |
| part of speech: | noun |
| definition: | a shout of "hurrah" or the like. |
