awe

4 definitions • 8 examples

a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise:

I've always held musicians in awe.

As children we were rather in awe of our grandfather.

You can't help but stand in awe of (= respect greatly and fear slightly) powerful people.

to cause someone to feel awe:

I was awed but not frightened by the huge gorilla.

Her paintings have awed and amazed the public for half a century.

The audience was awed into silence by her stunning performance.

a feeling of great respect, usually mixed with fear or surprise:

I was too much in awe of him to address him directly.

If something is awe-inspiring, it causes you to admire or respect it a lot:

Niagara Falls is an awe-inspiring sight.