awesome
adjective
awe·some ˈȯ-səm 
1
a
: inspiring awe
an awesome task/responsibility
a place of awesome beauty
b
informal : terrific, extraordinary
had an awesome time at the concert
2
: expressive of awe
awesome tribute
Did you know?
Is the Word awesome Overused?
Many object to the use of awesome to describe something (such as a sandwich) that does not literally elicit feelings of awe. Yet the same people who insist that awesome should be used only of weighty subjects (Niagara Falls, man landing on the moon) will happily use the word awful in reference to something (such as a mess) that falls distinctly short of being “full of awe.” This weakened sense was once considered improper – in fact, complaints about it persisted through the early decades of the 20th century.
The change in meaning that awesome is undergoing may be more recent than that of awful, but both words are treading the same path. For evidence that such change is normal, we need look no further than awe, which originally meant “terror” and now carries the weaker sense “wonder.”
Synonyms
- amazing
- astonishing
- astounding
- awful
- eye-opening
- fabulous
- marvelous
- marvellous
- miraculous
- portentous
- prodigious
- staggering
- stunning
- stupendous
- sublime
- surprising
- wonderful
- wondrous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the awesome sight of an erupting volcano It was an awesome responsibility. We had an awesome task ahead of us. We had an awesome time at the concert. You did an awesome job on that project. The movie was totally awesome. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The movie has to be awesome to be worth all this time spent talking about it, correct? 
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2022 White Sox promote outfielder Mark Payton, an Orland Park native and St. Rita product: ‘This is awesome. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 Getting to see Trevor hit that home run was awesome. Ken Powtak, Hartford Courant, 4 Sep. 2022 Think of a random song and play it, pretty awesome. Liza Lentini, SPIN, 29 July 2022 Obi-Wan battling Anakin in an Episode 5 flashback, pretty awesome; Obi-Wan rescuing Leia in Episode 4, pretty lame. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 21 June 2022 That whole Allison Russell set was pretty awesome and inspiring. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2022 And that’s not necessarily a reason to postpone my run, because running in the rain can actually be pretty awesome. Shauna Harrison, SELF, 26 Apr. 2022 That would be a little weird, but also pretty awesome. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2022 See More
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2022 White Sox promote outfielder Mark Payton, an Orland Park native and St. Rita product: ‘This is awesome. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 Getting to see Trevor hit that home run was awesome. Ken Powtak, Hartford Courant, 4 Sep. 2022 Think of a random song and play it, pretty awesome. Liza Lentini, SPIN, 29 July 2022 Obi-Wan battling Anakin in an Episode 5 flashback, pretty awesome; Obi-Wan rescuing Leia in Episode 4, pretty lame. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 21 June 2022 That whole Allison Russell set was pretty awesome and inspiring. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2022 And that’s not necessarily a reason to postpone my run, because running in the rain can actually be pretty awesome. Shauna Harrison, SELF, 26 Apr. 2022 That would be a little weird, but also pretty awesome. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
awe entry 1 + -some entry 1
First Known Use
1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
awesome
adjective
awe·some ˈȯ-səm
1
: causing a feeling of respect, fear, and wonder
an awesome view of the canyon
He … tried not to think of the awesome task that lay ahead of him. Louis Sachar, Holes
Louis Sachar, Holes2
: extremely good
He made an awesome catch.
awesome
adjective
1
as in amazing
causing wonder or astonishment the awesome power of the sea Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- amazing
- wonderful
- incredible
- astonishing
- miraculous
- marvelous
- surprising
- marvellous
- stunning
- sublime
- impressive
- extraordinary
- fabulous
- stupendous
- staggering
- remarkable
- wondrous
- spectacular
- astounding
- awful
- interesting
- prodigious
- unbelievable
- outstanding
- fascinating
- unusual
- portentous
- exciting
- unique
- phenomenal
- eye-opening
- unimaginable
- incomprehensible
- inconceivable
- rare
- unthinkable
- striking
- uncommon
- enchanting
- attractive
- charming
- noticeable
- notable
- sensational
- smashing
- attracting
- entertaining
- conspicuous
- enlightening
- alluring
- invigorating
- mind-blowing
- energizing
- singular
- unwonted
- enthralling
- captivating
- bewitching
- mind-boggling
- enlivening
- animating
- galvanizing
- beguiling
- mind-bending
- stimulating
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unremarkable
- boring
- unimpressive
- tedious
- normal
- uninteresting
- typical
- usual
- tiring
- monotonous
- ordinary
- common
- uninspiring
- dull
- uninspired
- mundane
- weary
- unexceptional
- customary
- exhausting
- wearisome
- draining
- wearying
- fatiguing
- discouraging
- debilitating
- wearing
- disheartening
- demoralizing
- enervating
- jading
- dispiriting
- enfeebling
2
as in wonderful
of the very best kind the food at the Sunday brunch was just awesome Synonyms & Similar Words
- wonderful
- excellent
- great
- fantastic
- terrific
- lovely
- fabulous
- beautiful
- superb
- marvelous
- stellar
- fine
- cool
- hot
- neat
- marvellous
- prime
- famous
- heavenly
- quality
- classic
- fab
- splendid
- nifty
- good
- divine
- exceptional
- brave
- fantabulous
- sensational
- groovy
- immense
- superlative
- superior
- slick
- top
- choice
- dynamite
- unsurpassed
- par excellence
- cracking
- grand
- noble
- dandy
- mean
- swell
- prize
- peachy
- banner
- dope
- topping
- brag
- decent
- too much
- sterling
- keen
- top-notch
- better
- primo
- crackerjack
- capital
- righteous
- gangbusters
- radical
- special
- hype
- boffo
- supernal
- boss
- bumper
- gone
- peachy keen
- number one
- frontline
- wizard
- gangbuster
- prizewinning
- bully
- topflight
- corking
- first-rate
- A-OK
- high-class
- numero uno
- adequate
- first-class
- acceptable
- phat
- bonny
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- down
- jim-dandy
- out of this world
- bang-up
- tip-top
- satisfactory
- No. 1
- all right
- bonnie
- five-star
- out-of-sight
- tolerable
- fancy
- classical
- traditional
- premium
- four-star
- blue-ribbon
- passable
- blue-chip
- first-string
- gilt-edge
- A1
- okay
- gilt-edged
- superfine
- select
- standard
- OK
- high-grade
- high-test
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- terrible
- awful
- poor
- atrocious
- lousy
- pathetic
- bad
- vile
- wretched
- rotten
- execrable
- unsatisfactory
- inferior
- substandard
- mediocre
- middling
- low-grade
- second-rate
- second-class