What does awesomely mean?
"Awesomely" is an adverb describing action or quality done in a way that inspires awe — overwhelming wonder, admiration, or reverence. Historically, it carried the older sense of the word "awesome," which originally denoted something capable of inspiring awe or even dread, such as a vast landscape or a display of divine power. In contemporary usage, however, the adverb has largely absorbed the casual, positive meaning of its parent word: something done awesomely is done extremely well, impressively, or excellently. A performance might be described as awesomely executed, or a natural phenomenon as awesomely beautiful. The word belongs chiefly to informal registers; while it can appear in descriptive writing about grandeur, its colloquial association makes it rare in formal prose. It derives from "awesome," formed from "awe" plus the suffix "-some," with "-ly" added to create the adverbial form. Its flexibility between reverent wonder and enthusiastic approval gives it an unusual double character among English adverbs.
In a manner that inspires awe, wonder, or deep respect.
"They stood silent before the awesomely vast glacier."
This original sense is now uncommon but persists in descriptive writing about nature or grandeur.
To an extremely impressive, excellent, or remarkable degree (informal).
"He skied awesomely down the black run without a single fall."
This is the dominant modern sense, especially in casual speech.
"Awful" and "awesome" were once near-synonyms — both meant "inspiring awe" — and awesomely carries the DNA of that dramatic reversal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of awesomely
Awesomely derives from "awesome," itself formed from "awe" — a word of Old Norse origin ("agi," meaning fear or terror) that entered English through Scandinavian influence — combined with the suffix "-some." The compound "awesome" arose in English by the late 16th or early 17th century, and its adverbial derivative followed naturally. Over time, as "awesome" shifted from denoting dread-inspiring grandeur to enthusiastic excellence, so did "awesomely." Related forms sharing the root include "awful," "awestruck," and "awe" itself.
How awesomely is actually used
The older sense — evoking genuine awe or dread — is now rare; the dominant modern sense is informal and positive, meaning 'extremely well' or 'to an impressive degree.' In formal writing it is best used sparingly.
Easily confused with awesomely
Awesomely describes something impressively or wonderfully, while awkwardly describes something done in an ungraceful or clumsy manner.