awesome
gb/ˈɔsəm/ us/ˈɔsəm/
A2
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
informal
A2
property
1
Extremely impressive or excellent
Very good or impressive.
Usage pattern:
[something] is awesome
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'awesome' in formal writing where a more neutral adjective like 'excellent' would be more appropriate.
Synonyms
amazing (Very close in meaning; 'amazing' is slightly more neutral and widely used.)
|
fantastic (Similar informal praise, often for experiences or performance.)
Antonyms
terrible (Indicates something very bad or unpleasant, opposite of praise.)
Collocations
awesome job
|awesome movie
|awesome idea
|awesome view
|awesome experience
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- That concert last night was absolutely awesome.
- You did an awesome job on your presentation.
- The view from the top of the mountain is awesome.
- This cake tastes awesome.
- She has an awesome sense of humor.
Learner examples
- This book is awesome.
- My new phone is awesome.
- He is an awesome teacher.
- The park near my house is awesome.
- Your drawing is awesome.
adjective
B2
property
2
Causing great fear or wonder
Making people feel respect or fear because it is big, powerful, or important.
Usage pattern:
[something] is awesome
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the informal 'very good' meaning, even in serious contexts where it means 'impressive in size or power'.
Synonyms
awe-inspiring (More formal; emphasizes inspiring deep respect or fear.)
Antonyms
ordinary (Lacking the scale or impact to inspire awe.)
Collocations
awesome power
|awesome sight
|awesome scale
|awesome responsibility
Themes
nature
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The volcano erupted with awesome power.
- They stood in silence before the awesome sight of the glacier.
- The general carried himself with awesome authority.
- The cathedral's architecture is truly awesome.
- She spoke about the awesome responsibility of leading a country.
Learner examples
- The big waterfall was awesome.
- The storm had awesome power.
- The tall mountain was awesome.
- The king had awesome control over his land.
Grammar
Dictionary form
awesome
IPA
GB/ˈɔsəm/
US/ˈɔsəm/
Syllables & stress
awe - some (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (awe)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: awesome
Word family
Expressions
feel awesome
1/fˈil ˈɔsəm/
fixed phrase
informal
Feel very well or happy
To feel very good, happy, or healthy.
Examples
- I feel awesome after that workout.
- She felt awesome when she heard the good news.
pretty awesome
1/pɹˈɪti ˈɔsəm/
fixed phrase
informal
Quite impressive or excellent
Quite good or impressive.
Examples
- The food here is pretty awesome.
- Your guitar playing is pretty awesome.
totally awesome
1/tˈoʊtəli ˈɔsəm/
fixed phrase
informal
Completely excellent or impressive
Very, very good or impressive.
Examples
- That skateboard trick was totally awesome!
- Your birthday party was totally awesome.