The idiom "am in awe" means you have very high regard and admiration for them, but you might also feel some fear or nervousness around them. In addition, it can convey good or bad emotions, depending on the situation and how you say it.

In short:

• When you are "in awe" of someone or something, you have very high regard and admiration for them, but you might also feel some fear or nervousness around them.
• Furthermore, it can be used to express positive or negative feelings, depending on the context and tone of voice.

What Does "Am in Awe" Mean?

The idiom "am in awe" means to have an overwhelming amount of respect or admiration for someone or something, sometimes to the point of feeling nervous or fearful around them. Depending on the tone of voice and the context, the idiom can express negative or positive feelings.

• The idiom can also be modified by changing the verb or the preposition.

For example:

• I am in awe of her achievements. (present tense, positive feeling)
• She was in awe at the sight of the Eiffel Tower. (past tense, positive feeling)
• They were in awe of his cruelty. (past tense, negative feeling)
• She is in awe at his audacity. (present tense, negative feeling)

Where Does "Am in Awe" Come From?

The idiom "am in awe" comes from the Old English word ege, which meant "fear" or "terror." This word was derived from the Proto-Germanic word agiz, which also meant "fear" or "terror". The word ege evolved into awe over time, and by the 13th century, it meant "fear mingled with respect or reverence." By the 15th century, it also meant "a feeling of solemn wonder."

Historical Example

"I am in awe of thy words."

— William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, 1596

10 Examples of "Am in Awe" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the idiom "am in awe" and its variations in different sentences, demonstrating different contexts and situations:

• Despite the time crunch and limited budget, I am in awe of how you managed to finish the project.
• She was in awe at the sight of the northern lights. It was indeed a sight to behold.
• They are in awe of his musical skills. His knowledge of music theory is off the charts.
• He is in awe of her strength and resilience. He sees her as the golden child among the siblings.
• I was in awe of his fury and violence. Quite frankly, I felt scared and intimidated.
• She was in awe by his proposal and ring. However, she doesn't know about his deep dark secret.
• We stood in awe of your skills and intelligence. Indeed, you didn't cut corners in your performance.
• He was in awe of her authority and influence. She has all the bells and whistles of a good leader.
• They were in awe of his deception and manipulation. They felt betrayed and disgusted.
• She was in awe at the beauty of the sunset. It set the tone for a beautiful goodbye during the graduation.

Examples of "Am in Awe" in Pop Culture

The idiom "am in awe" and its variations have also been used in various forms of pop culture, such as songs, movies, books, and TV shows.

Here are some examples:

• "I'm still in awe of you / Discover something new every day / I'm still amazed by you / In every single way." (Still In Awe Of You, a song by Jonny Lang, 2003)
• "I am in awe of you / And everything you've done / You've opened up my eyes / And showed me how to love unselfishly." (In Awe Of You, a song by Hillsong Worship, 2018)
• "I'm standing here today / 'Cause you helped me find my way / I'm in awe of you / I'm in awe." (In Awe, a song by Audrey Assad, 2018)
• "You're awesome! No, you're awesome! No, you're awesome!" (The Lego Movie, a movie directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, 2014)

Other Ways to Say "Am in Awe"

Here are some synonyms or alternative expressions for the idiom "am in awe":

• enchanted
• fascinated
• captivated
• stunned
• dazzled
• astounded
• astonished
• amazed
• impressed

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Am in Awe"

Here are some frequently asked questions about the idiom "am in awe" and their answers:

• What does "am in awe" mean?

The idiom "am in awe" means to have an overwhelming amount of respect or admiration for someone or something, sometimes to the point of feeling nervous or fearful around them.

• What is the origin of "am in awe"?

The idiom "am in awe" comes from the Old English word ege, which meant "fear" or "terror."

• What are some synonyms for "am in awe"?

Some synonyms for "am in awe" are "enchanted", "dazzled", "stunned", etc.

• What is the difference between "in awe of" and "in awe at"?

Both expressions mean an overwhelming amount of respect or admiration for someone or something, but "in awe of" is more commonly used to refer to a person or a quality, while "in awe at" is more widely used to refer to a thing or an event.

• What is the difference between "in awe" and "awesome"?

Both words come from the same root but have different meanings and uses. "In awe" is an idiom that means to have overwhelming respect or admiration for someone or something. On the other hand, "awesome" is an adjective that means extremely impressive or excellent.

• What is the difference between "in awe" and "awful"?

Both words come from the same root but have opposite meanings and uses. "In awe" is an idiom that means to have overwhelming respect or admiration for someone or something, while "awful" is an adjective that means extremely bad or unpleasant.

• How do you pronounce "in awe"?

You can pronounce "in awe" by saying /ɪn ɔː/ (in aw). The vowel sound in "awe" is similar to the sound in "law", "saw", or "raw".

• Is "am in awe" a positive or negative expression?

It depends on the context and tone of voice. It can be a positive expression when it means overwhelming respect or admiration for someone or something good, admirable, or inspiring. On the flip side, it can also be a negative expression when it means to have overwhelming respect or admiration for someone or something wrong, evil, or frightening.

• How do you express being "in awe" in other languages?

Spanish: estar asombrado

French: être émerveillé

German: staunen

• How do you respond when someone says they are "in awe" of you?

There is no right way to respond when someone says they are "in awe" of you, but one of the best ways is to thank them sincerely and express your appreciation.

Final Thoughts About "Am in Awe"

"Am in awe" is a common and versatile idiom in English that can express a range of emotions and situations. It can be positive or negative, depending on the context and tone of voice. It can also be modified by changing the verb or the preposition.

Here are some key points to remember about the idiom "am in awe":

• The expression comes from the Old English word ege, which meant "fear" or "terror."
• In addition, the idiom has some variations and related expressions.
• Furthermore, it has synonyms and antonyms, such as to admire, despise, etc.
• Lastly, the idiom can be responded to differently, such as thanking, complimenting, being humble, or being playful.