Awesome
/ˈɔː.səm/noun
Extremely impressive, excellent, or inspiring great admiration.
Did you know?In older English, awe meant fear or overwhelming dread before it gradually came to describe reverence, wonder, and finally modern enthusiasm.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*agiz
“Fear, terror, or dread”
Old Norse
Old Norse
agi
“Terror, fear, or dread”
Middle English
Middle English
awe
“Fear, dread, or profound reverence”
16th Century
English
awesome
“Filled with or causing awe”
19th Century
English
awesome
“Inspiring solemn wonder or profound admiration”
20th Century–Present
English
awesome
“Excellent, impressive, or very enjoyable”