awesome

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableinformal

   Very good, enjoyable, or impressive; used casually to show strong approval.

   Grammar: Works before a noun or after a verb: an awesome concert; the concert was awesome.

   Patterns

   • awesome at something
   • an awesome idea

   We had an awesome weekend at the lake.

   Your new bike looks awesome.

   She is awesome at drawing.

2. 2adjectivecomparableformal

   Causing a feeling of great respect, wonder, or a little fear because of its size, power, or importance.

   Grammar: Often before a noun and in a serious tone: an awesome responsibility.

   Patterns

   • awesome power
   • awesome responsibility

   The astronauts looked down on the awesome sight of the Earth.

   The storm unleashed its awesome power on the coast.

   Raising a child is an awesome responsibility.

Word forms

Common combinations

awesome power

The volcano showed its awesome power.

awesome view

The hilltop has an awesome view.

awesome responsibility

Leading the team felt like an awesome responsibility.

totally awesome

The show was totally awesome.

Synonyms and how they differ

great

Great is milder and works in any register, while awesome sounds more excited and casual.

magnificent

Magnificent is formal and about grandeur or beauty, not just enjoyment.

cool

Cool is even more relaxed and about style or approval, with no sense of grandeur.

Opposites

Word family

awe noun

wonder mixed with respect or fear

awesomely adverb

in an awesome way

awesomeness noun

the quality of being awesome

Commonly confused: awesome or awful?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “awesome”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words