What does overawed mean?
Overawed is a strong adjective describing a person who has been so deeply impressed, dazzled, or intimidated that they feel unable to respond in their usual way. It commonly appears in the pattern 'be overawed by,' as in being overawed by a performance, a landscape, a historic building, or an achievement. The word carries a distinctly positive and reverent tone: it suggests amazement and awe rather than ordinary surprise, and often implies that the subject encounters something grand, beautiful, or exceptional. In less positive contexts, it can also mean being made to feel small or intimidated. Overawed is the past participle of 'overawe' and is widely used in both formal and informal English.
Impressed or awed to the point of feeling unable to respond normally.
"Visitors were overawed by the beauty of the cathedral."
Usually used predicatively, especially in the form 'be overawed by.'
To impress or intimidate someone so strongly that they feel unable to respond normally.
"The scale of the ancient library overawed the young scholar."
The past participle 'overawed' is much more common than the finite verb forms.
To be overawed is to be so impressed by a person, place, or achievement that awe takes the place of your usual confidence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overawed come from?
Overawed is formed from the prefix 'over-' and the verb 'awe.' The word 'awe' comes through Middle English from Old English ' awe,' meaning fear mixed with reverence or wonder. The development of 'overawe' reflects the idea of being affected so strongly by awe that normal confidence is displaced. Related words include 'awesome,' 'awful,' and 'awe-inspiring,' all of which share the same root.
Related word forms
How overawed is actually used
The word is formal and usually carries a strongly positive sense of amazement, though it can also suggest intimidation when describing a person who feels overpowered. The construction 'be overawed by' is especially common.
Easily confused with overawed
Being overawed emphasizes being made to feel awe or awe-inspired, whereas being overwhelmed usually means being emotionally or practically unable to cope with a situation or amount of work.