- An informal adjective meaning excellent, extremely good, impressive, or inspiring awe (though the awe part is often diluted in casual use).
Explanation
Origin
- Originally meant inspiring awe or dread; dreadful, fearful (from the 16th century), related to the word awe.
- The shift to the positive meaning of excellent or impressive began in American slang in the mid-to-late 20th century, possibly starting in surfer/skater culture in the 1970s/80s.
- It became hugely popular and widespread, largely replacing older terms like swell or groovy.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Sweet!
- Sick!
- Dope!
- Rad! (Dated, 80s vibe)
- Wicked! (UK/New England)
- Killer! (Means excellent, impressive)
- Mint! (UK slang, excellent)
- Fire! (Recent slang, means excellent/amazing)
- That slaps (Recent slang, means it's very good, often for music/food)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fucking awesome! / Fuckin' A! (Strong agreement/enthusiasm)
- Badass!
- The shit!
- Kickass!
Milder:
- Very nice.
- That's great news.
- Lovely. (esp. UK)
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Very common in casual conversation.
- While generally positive, its overuse can make it sound less impactful or slightly juvenile in formal settings.
- Avoid in very formal writing or speech where more precise adjectives (excellent, superb, remarkable) are preferred.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might initially only know the older meaning related to awe and be confused by its casual use for everyday things. However, the positive slang meaning is now dominant.
Examples
- That concert was awesome!
- You got the job? That's awesome!
- What an awesome view from up here!
- (As a response) We're going to the beach tomorrow. Awesome!
Dialogue
Layla: Guess what? I finally finished writing my novel!
Ken: No way! That's awesome! Congratulations!
Layla: Thanks! It took forever, but I'm so relieved it's done.
Ken: Awesome! When can I read it?
Social Media Examples
- Comment: Your vacation photos look awesome! ☀️
- Tweet: Just passed my driving test! Feeling awesome! 🎉🚗
- Reply: Got tickets to the show! -> User B: Awesome! Have fun!
- Instagram caption: Awesome day hiking with friends. #nature #adventure
Response Patterns
When something you did/said is called awesome:
- Thanks!, Glad you think so!, I know, right?!
When responding with Awesome! to news:
- Often followed by more enthusiastic questions or comments: Awesome! When do you start? / Awesome! I'm so happy for you!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing Awesome!:
- Sharing more details: Yeah, I start Monday!
- Expressing shared excitement: I'm really excited!
After saying Awesome!:
- Asking for details: Tell me more!, What was the best part?
- Making related plans: Awesome! Can I come next time?
Conversation Starter
- Yes, often used as an enthusiastic response that encourages further conversation about the topic. (That's awesome! Tell me more.)
Intonation
- Usually said with enthusiasm and a high or rising pitch.
- Stress strongly on the first syllable: AWsome!
- Can be drawn out for emphasis: Awwwwesome!
- A flat delivery can indicate sarcasm or lack of interest.
Generation Differences
- Peaked in popularity perhaps with Gen X and Millennials but is understood and used by virtually everyone.
- Gen Z and younger might use newer alternatives (fire, slaps, bet) more frequently among peers, but awesome is still standard vocabulary.
Regional Variations
- Extremely common in American English. Widely used and understood globally.
- British English might traditionally prefer brilliant or fantastic but awesome is very common now too.